By GEORGE OLWENYA
Siaya County
The Water Resources Management Authority (Warma) has stopped water supply to Bondo town and its environs over a Sh291,000 debt.
Yesterday, Warma Board of Directors led by the Chairman, Francis Nyenze, threatened to close down all water supply points in Siaya County citing accrued debts of more than Sh2.2 million owed to it by the Siaya/Bondo (Sibo) Water and Sanitation Company.
The move angered Sibo Managing Director Anthony Ambugo, who protested that the figures had been exaggerated.
"It is wrong for Warma to take action yet they know the amount they want has been a bone of contention between them and the company. We feel the figures are incorrect," he said. Mr Ambugo said he cannot release money because the figures are still under dispute.
But Warma warned that it would close down the multi-million shilling water intake system at River Yala that serves a larger part of Siaya County unless the amount is paid in due course.
Supply stations
Speaking at the Bonda water intake, Mr Nyenze said the amount has accrued since 2007 and involves the eight water supply stations run by Sibo in Siaya County.
He ordered immediate closure of the water supply from River Yala intake and directed that Sibo should not pump water from the facility until the amount is fully settled.
"If they go ahead to supply water through any illegal means from this point then they risk facing legal action," he warned.
The Warma Board of Directors is on a monitoring mission of water supply systems in Nyanza Province to check on debtors and close down those with outstanding bills.
Warma has been going around the country collecting funds from various councils that have not been paying for the services. The water sector has suffered allegations of misappropriation of funds
