Water fees to go up after regulator approves new tariffs

Kenyans stare at higher water bills after the Water Service Regulatory Board (Wasreb) unleashed new tariffs that will see the cost of water become more expensive, raising the cost of living. The tariffs will hit hard Kenyans across several sectors including households, businesses, county governments, and learning institutions including schools, universities, and colleges.

In a gazette notice by Wasreb, the new tariffs will affect several regions including Kakamega, Kisumu, Nyeri, Thika, and Kiambu counties.

The tariff adjustment took effect from August 2, 2024 and will run up to June 30, 2025. Kakamega residents, served by the Kakamega County Water and sanitation Company, will pay Sh91 for consumption of up to six cubic metres, up from the previous Sh87.

Government and private businesses will also pay sh136 for up to 50 cubic meters while learning institutions will pay Sh68 for up to 600 cubic metres. In Kisumu County, the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company water spiked prices by four per cent.

Households who consume up to six cubic metres of water will pay Sh83 up from Sh80. Commercial bulk sales will be charged sh66 per cubic metre, while government and private entities will pay Sh126 for up to 50 cubic metres. Learning institutions in the county will pay Sh66 for up to 600 cubic metres.

For the same category of customers in Nyeri county, the Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company will charge households Sh53, an increase from the previous Sh51.