CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

As we celebrate twenty one (21)yrs of company’s existence and service to our community this year, we remain grateful to the Almighty God for His providence and our loyal consumers for their continued support. Progressive reforms in the water sector has indeed accelerated water and sanitation coverage and its sustainability in our area over the years. Key institutions as established under Water 2016, namely Water Services Regulatory Board(WASREB), Tana Water Works Development Agency(TWWDA) and Water Sector Trust Fund(WSTF) have played critical role in realization of core mandate. As the establish regulator in the sector, WASREB has ensured that the company continue to run sustainably while embracing good corporate governance. TWWDA and WSTF on the other hand have been pivotal towards water and sewerage infrastructure development.

Additionally, devolution of water and sanitation services brought about further gains in realization of our strategic objectives. For over seven(7) years now, the company has managed to extend water to areas that were previously marginalized through support from County Government of Nyeri. This is through funding of some specific projects with great impact. The County Government of Nyeri being MAWASCO’s only shareholders also provide important oversight role through board of directors hence offering the company much needed stability.

Indeed, our continued collaboration and support as stakeholders representing various interest groups will guarantee sustained efforts towards overcoming inequality in service provision thereby prevent conflicts on access to water and proper sanitation. This will ultimately aid to positive contribution on realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) no. 6 on clean water and sanitation.

Current status, challenges and recent achievements

company registered significant improvement on key performance indicators namely; Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management, water quality, water supply & sanitation coverage, hours of supply, customer service and above all in ensuring good corporate governance as we execute our core mandate. Consequently, MAWASCO was rated as the most financially reliable institution among ninety-five(95) regulated water companies in the country. This is in terms of credit worthiness on which the company rating improved from BBB to A during the last one year as per WASREB assessment.

However, our efforts towards achieving desired levels of service delivery have continued to be undermined by some challenges brought about by several key factors among them high NRW levels specifically in our rural scheme due to old dilapidated supply network, interference by community water projects and other irregularities. Other issues include inadequate water treatment capacity, overstretched sewerage infrastructure and lack of finances for investment towards improvement on water and sewerage service provision. Hombe dam and Muthira intake have failed to yield sufficient water as intended to ensure consistent water supply in targeted areas mainly within Mathira West sub-county.  The two(2) sources are occasionally shut whenever water levels are too low due to poor recharge from their respective catchment areas.

To mitigate on some of these challenges, the company has continued making use of available resources in form of finances and human capital in renewing infrastructure and reorganization of operations by giving more emphasis on staff productivity, efficient water supply through proper rationing program and enhanced NRW management. Some small but key projects geared toward NRW management have also been undertaken though availability of finances has been the main limiting factor to attainment of the desired results. External financial support is therefore key on areas requiring significant capital investment to ensure realization of ideal service provision. However, with recently implemented revised water tariffs, MAWASCO is now better placed to undertake some projects to improve the infrastructure as provided for in the tariffs.

I wish to once again acknowledge County Government of Nyeri(CGN) and Tana Water Works Development Agency(TWWDA) particularly for being very instrumental in enhancing services provision. The two(2) institutions have supported and funded some key project to boost water production and distribution network within our area of coverage. The now complete Kururu Water Project funded by TWWDA has greatly enhanced water production at Ihwagi Water Treatment Plant more so during dry periods of the year. Increased water production has also allowed extension of supply network to cover Jambo areas. Similarly, Kirimukuyu water rehabilitation project led to improved water coverage and supply in most parts of Kirimukuyu including Tumutumu, Ngandu, Ruthagati and Rititi areas. These areas were previously not adequately served due to mentioned challenges with Hombe dam and Muthira intake sources. The project was fully funded by CGN in collaboration with area Member of County Assembly(MCA). Another 13kms of pipeline was done to extend water supply from Kiamabara to Mugetho shopping centre and surrounding areas of Konyu. This was done through the Department of Water, Irrigation, Environment and Climate Change and also in collaboration with the area MCA.  

On the other hand, the company has continued making use of internally generated funds to extend water and sewerage coverage as well as rehabilitation of network in identified areas. During the last one year, some additional 28kms of pipeline were done using own resources with over 600 new water connections realized. Special focus is also being directed in establishing and managing District Metered Areas(DMAs) with high NRW levels to reduce water losses hence improve water supply.  

MAWASCO has also continued to put emphasis on improving efficiency in service delivery and enhancing productivity of resources especially human capital through embracing appropriate ICT solutions in various areas of operations. The company will continue to improve the recently implemented Enterprise Resource Planning(ERP) system. The system has eliminated manual processes thus operation costs have reduced significantly in addition to enhanced accountability and promotion of a more productive work force. The already in place Geographical Information System (GIS) is also being upgraded gradually specifically to aid on NRW management and improvement on billing efficiency. All field officers now report incidents requiring attention and further action through an application accessible from their mobile phones. This include reporting on pipe burst/leakages, sewer blockages, illegal connections, vandalism among other issues. This has seen improvement on turn around time in attending to such matters and accountability of required materials for necessary repairs. The application is also being used by the relevant officers in tracking/locating the already mapped company infrastructures including customer meters/connections. This application is also accessible to the public. Members of the public can therefore report encountered incidents through the application also easily installable and accessible from a smart phone.

We have also continued to enhance our customer service in form of already established customer service center, aided with trained personnel and accessibility of services through established channels on 24/7 basis. Operations are automated with a customer management system that is also integrated with billing system. The company has also established an USSD self service code(*873*6#) for use by customers on various enquiries through self-service in order to enhance on service delivery and reduce congestion at customer care office including calls received from customers.

I wish to assure all our customers and stakeholders that MAWASCO will continue to be guided by principles of good corporate governance as provided under WASREB’s Corporate Governance Standards 2024. We are equally committed in meeting set targets and conditions as outlined in both operating license and tariff conditions by the regulator.  

I also salute our esteemed current and future potential customers for their continued support to the company through prompt payment of bills and helping in protecting the infrastructure in their respective areas.

Thank you

CPS Sammy Muturi
CHAIRMAN, MAWASCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS