By Rodgers Wagura
Worth Noting:
- The meeting, convened by Kieni West Sub-County DCC Agnes Shadrack further resolved to establish a Quasi Committee that will look at the workings of the water firm with a major view aligning its operations to fully conform with the various water laws and regulations.
- The DCC convened the meeting at her Kiawara town office which was attendee by the Sub-County security officials, officers from Water Services Regulatory Board and senior officials from the water firm.
- As this took place, a section of members who are leading a splinter group was also having their parallel meeting at Nairutia shopping centre. This is the group that is being accused of sabotaging the firm’s activities.
A section of members affiliated to Mutitu Water and Sanitation Company claims that their firm was illegally changed from being a public entity to a private one.
The members now want the issue that has been shrouded with mystery and denial by the company officials sorted once and for all.
Led by businessman Kagiri Wambugu, the members avers that the company is as at now legally owned by just a handful of members out of the thousands of residents who are served by it.
The Company serves Kamiruri in Nyandarua North Sub-County if Nyandarua County, Mugunda ward in Kieni West Sub-County of Nyeri County and Laikipia Central Sub-County in Laikipia County.
The company was started nearly three decades ago as a self-help group but was changed to company in 2002 after water Act of 2002.
Some members claim the company was later changed to a private entity without the consent of the members.
The issue has seen a serious faceoff between the directors and members allied to Kagiri’s position whose end result have seen vandalism taking place.
In an interview in Nyeri town yesterday, Kagiri said that members led a revolution wanting to know why their company was run as a private company and not as a public company as they knew.
He added that they are being accused of destroying the water intake but he denied the claims saying that it was magement that did so in their bid to divert attention.
Last week, the company officials held a crisis meeting with the security officials over the matter where several resolutions were passed.
At the same time, the government warned against sabotaging activities of the water service provider.
It was resolved that errant members of the company would face the law if vices that have hit the firm and which they are accused of perpetuating continued.
The meeting, convened by Kieni West Sub-County DCC Agnes Shadrack further resolved to establish a Quasi Committee that will look at the workings of the water firm with a major view aligning its operations to fully conform with the various water laws and regulations.
The DCC convened the meeting at her Kiawara town office which was attended by the Sub-County security officials, officers from Water Services Regulatory Board and senior officials from the water firm.
As this took place, a section of members who are leading a splinter group was also having their parallel meeting at Nairutia shopping centre. This is the group that is being accused of sabotaging the firm’s activities.
Their vices include harassing staff, vandalising water system, inciting members and calling for boycott of water charges payments.
After the DCC meeting, a section of National Government officials, firm’s chairman Samuel Waithaka and CEO Peter Muturi traveled to Karemeno where they met the members.
They informed them that the Quasi Committee will comprise of stakeholders from the three county governments, from the water provider, church and technical officers from Tana Water Works and Central Rift Valley Water Works.
Sources told Mt Kenya Times that the borne of contention has been the status of the firm where some claim it is a private entity owned by eight people while others avers it is public company.
The other issue is on who will step in as director to replace Mugunda Catholic Parish head Father Romano Filippe who is retired recently.
The Catholic priest is the brainchild behind the water project that bore Mutitu Water and Sanitation Company.
He established it nearly 30 years ago as a Water project for the residents of Nairutia area but with time it grew to serve communities living near the area.
Father Romano has been the firm’s Director in charge of Finance and has been instrumental in soliciting for funds which has enabled thousands of people and livestock in the semi-arid area to easily access water for domestic and irrigation.
Several people have in the recent past been arrested and charges for vandalism.
Yesterday, Kagiri, a specialist in resources mobilisation said they would not rest until the issues affecting the company members were resolved.