490 Mombasa water vendors get licenses
Water vendors push a handcart on Nyerere Avenue in Mombasa town on January 2017. The county has issued 494 licenses to water vendors. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ms Awale said they will monitor the vendors and those found exploiting consumers will lose their licenses.
- Vendors will be selling water in Jomvu, Changamwe, Kisauni, Nyali, Mvita and Likoni sub counties.
The Mombasa County government has issued licenses to 494 water vendors.
The county government says the move will create employment among the youth, women and the disabled.
The vendors have been allowed to sell water in Jomvu, Changamwe, Kisauni, Nyali, Mvita and Likoni sub counties to address the acute water shortage that has hit parts of the county.
Water and Natural Resources executive Fatma Awale said the county did a research on biting water shortage and illegal connections.
“We decided to streamline the kiosks and developed a policy for vendors selling water,” she said
Speaking to the Nation by phone, Ms Awale said kiosks owners were exploiting residents by selling water at high prices.
She said they closed down kiosks that were selling water and advertised for those interested in the trade to apply.
“We received over 1,148 applications and established a committee comprising of county officials, leaders of kiosks operators and Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (Mowassco) to select vendors who will be awarded licenses,” she said.
She said most of the applicants failed to meet the set requirements that included cleanliness, selling water from Mowassco at Sh2 per 20 litre jerrican.
Ms Awale said they will monitor the vendors and those found exploiting consumers will lose their license.
“We have also sensitised residents to report anyone selling water for more than the set price of Sh2,” she added.
