We won’t pay, governors tell Coast water board

From Left: Governors Amason Kingi (Kilifi), John Mruttu (Taita-Taveta), Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Salim Mvurya (Kwale) and Hussein Dhadho (Tana River) after attending a Jumuiya Ya Kaunti secretariat meeting at Vipingo Ridge, in Kilifi County on May 17, 2015. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |

What you need to know:

  • Water board threatens to cut supply if they fail to settle debt.

Five governors on Sunday said that they would not pay the more than Sh1 billion water bill debt that Coast Water Services Board is demanding from their counties.

The board has threatened to disconnect water to the counties because of the water bill arrears.

Governors Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), John Mruttu (Taita-Taveta), Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Hussein Dhadho (Tana River) were addressing journalists after attending a Jumuiya Ya Kaunti secretariat meeting at Vipingo Ridge, in Kilifi County.

Mr Mruttu said a recent decision by the board to disconnect water to the Taveta residents over Sh121 million owed to Taita Tavevo Water Company was punitive since the debt had accumulated long before he took over as governor.

“To disconnect water which an important commodity elicited a crisis in the county and it should not have happened. The only institution that can give out clear guidelines on the matter is the National Transition authority because it is the one overseeing the transition activities in this country,” he said.

Mr Dhadho said they could not commit development money disbursed to the counties for debts that were incurred before they were elected.

“The Transition Authority is the only body to tell us how the money accumulated and the role of the county governments on how the matter can be handled amicably.”