Red Cross, churches on notice over unpaid water bills

City Hall, Nairobi, on September 14, 2015. An international relief agency, a school of nursing and a branch of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in Nairobi’s Eastlands are among organisations fingered by the Nairobi City County for legal action for failing to pay water bills. PHOTO | GERALD ANDERSON | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company said the International Committee of the Red Cross and the PCEA Kayole Parish together owe the city Sh2.9 million in unpaid water bills.
  • House of Manji Ltd, the makers of biscuits must pay Sh713,170, St Francis School of Nursing Little Sisters owe the city company Sh299,041 and Engen Petroleum Kenya Ltd have a debt of Sh375,079 to settle.

An international relief agency, a school of nursing and a branch of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in Nairobi’s Eastlands are among organisations fingered by the City County for legal action for failing to pay water bills.

On Thursday evening, the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and PCEA Kayole Parish together owe the city Sh2.9 million in unpaid water bills.

The church owes the city Sh2,305,359 while the Red Cross Committee, an international humanitarian organisation that usually works in conflict areas by assisting civilians and victims of war, has not paid Sh632,004.

These two organisations are just among a class of debtors the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company is looking for to settle the millions of shillings it says its customers owe.

Another church, the East African Adventist Church Seventh Day, owes Sh237,485 in water bills.

However, ICRC has denied that it owes money to the water firm saying that it cleared its bills during its tenancy at a particular Nairobi building.

The relief agency said that it discovered towards end of its tenancy 10 years ago that the previous occupant had water bill arrears.

Further, ICRC said it has receipts to prove it paid its bills.

HOUSE OF MANJI

According to a list published Thursday evening, a consumer identified as George Wainaina Waweru owes Sh3.8 million.

Biscuit maker House of Manji Ltd must pay Sh713,170, St Francis School of Nursing Little Sisters owes the city company Sh299,041 and Engen Petroleum Kenya Ltd has a debt of Sh375,079 to settle.

Most of the defaulters are either property companies or individuals.

The notice lists a man with a similar name to the Kenya Red Cross Society secretary-general and labelled as Abbas Gullet Gedi, with a debt of Sh586,069.

It also includes former Ntonyiri MP Richard Maoka Maore, who it says has not paid Sh139,066.

The water firm said in the notice that defaulters must settle their unpaid bills within a week or be sued.

“Notice is hereby given to the below listed customers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited to clear their outstanding bills within 7 days of this notice; failure to which the company will take legal action,” the firm said in a statement indicating the names of more defaulters will be published.