ELDORET, Kenya – Residents of Uasin Gishu have rejected the new water tariffs approved for the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS), saying the sharp increase will cripple businesses and households in the region.
Speaking to journalists in Eldoret, petitioner Kipkorir Menjo said the decision by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) to approve a 300 percent tariff hike was unjustified, given that most residents receive water through gravity-fed systems that require minimal pumping costs.
“This move will paralyse businesses and make it impossible for many entities to continue operating. It is not only unfair but also insensitive to the economic realities people are facing,” Menjo said.
The residents announced plans to appeal the ruling of the Environment and Land Court, which recently upheld WASREB’s approval of the new rates.
They argued that the judgment overlooked the burden the tariffs would impose on households, schools, and small-scale enterprises.
The group also issued a warning to both county and national government leaders, urging them to intervene before the crisis escalates.
They threatened to take to the streets in mass demonstrations that could disrupt daily activities in Eldoret City if the tariff is not reviewed.
The dispute comes at a time when the cost of living remains a central concern across the country, with communities pushing back against rising utility bills and other charges.
