The government has reported making progress in its efforts to crack down on illegal water connections in Nairobi, as part of the 100-day rapid results initiative aimed at reducing non-revenue water which costs an estimated Sh10 billion annually.
As part of the operation dubbed ‘Linda maji, Lipa maji’, 48 individuals suspected of illegal connections have been arrested, charged and fined.
The operation, now in its fifth day, is targeting the disconnection of all illegal water connections in informal settlements within the capital.
As a result of the sting operation led by Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Paul Rono and Nairobi water company officials, 500 illegal connections were disconnected in Kisumu Ndogo and Raila Village in Lang’ata.
Since the exercise started on February 16, a total of 800 illegal water points have been disconnected.
Rono noted that 45% of the 560,000 cubic metres of water supplied to Nairobi remains unaccounted for and that the ministry will work with counties to reduce the non-revenue water to less than 10%.
