Residents oppose Governor Lenku's bid to turn off their water

Residents and livestock quech their thirst at a water soucrce in Magadi, Kajiado County quench on February 16. There is a tug of war between residents of Magadi and the Kajiado county government over water supply . Below: Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

A critical source of water is at the centre of a tug of war between residents of Magadi and the Kajiado County Government.

Governor Joseph ole Lenku recently announced that the water that residents have depended on for years would be cut off due to wrangles between the county government and one of the consumers, Tata Chemical Magadi Limited.

The announcement has sent ripples across Kajiado West sub-county as residents wonder how they will survive if their only source of water is cut off.

With statistics indicating that only 25 per cent of Kajiado residents have access to clean water, they have opposed the action, terming it uncalled for.

A population of 104,376, according to the last population census, and thousands of livestock depend on the disputed water source.

Oloibor Toto in Nkurumani, which does not dry up, is the main source of water and from the intake. The water is channelled through gravity to villages.

Residents claim the piping was done solely by Tata Chemicals in the 1950s. The company distributes water through three channels for kilometres and it is utilised for livestock, irrigation and soda ash production.

To go to court

The company has set up 20 water points for villages.

Water reserves of up to 60,000 litres have been put up. In areas where piping has not been done water is supplied free of charge using Tata Chemicals water bowsers.

The water has also been directed into farms for irrigation in Nkurumani. Tata caters for all the costs as part of its corporate social responsibility activities.

The Standard team found women and children queuing to fetch water from water points and designated tanks.

One of the water points is a hive of activity as residents who had walked for kilometres watered their livestock.

“If the governor orders closure of the water from Nkurumani we will die of thirst. Even during the dry spell the county does not come to our aid to provide water. Well-wishers join hands to assist Tata in supplying the water,” said Ann Sempeke, a resident.

Residents have threatened to go to court to stop any attempt to disconnect the water.

Mr Lenku has directed his technical team to instal metres on water pipes connected to the factory from Nkurumani water springs, which the firm have been using over the years without paying any charges.

“My water department should start putting a metre to the main pipe that supplies the factory with water. If mwananchi pays for water why should they (Tata Company) not pay?" asked the governor.

The Tata Chemicals Magadi board chairman, Steve Moiko, said the company was ready to negotiate with the county to reach an amicable solution. He added that the standoff was not healthy for the company and the residents.

“The company is compliant as per the rules and regulations of doing business and we are ready to iron out our differences with the county,” said Mr Moiko

Addressing residents of Magadi location, Lenku accused the company of not paying land rates.

Heated meeting

The county government claimed that the company owed Sh17 billion in land rates dating back to six years on the 224,991 acres it occupies in Magadi ward.

“We will not allow Tata to continue using our water yet they are defaulting paying rates. We will close the pipeline,” Lenku told residents.

In a meeting attended by residents which was characterised by heated exchanges, failed to explain where locals would get water.