Muswasco ready to hand over Maragua dam to rival Muwasco

Murang'a Water CEC Mary Magochi. Last week President William Ruto ordered Muwasco to manage the Sh1 billion project. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The process to transfer the Sh1 billion Maragua Bulk Water project has kicked off and already the management of Murang'a Water (Muwasco) has toured it.

Muwasco has written to the Water Service Regulatory Board (Wasreb), notifying it of the presidential directive on operating in a foreign territory.

On Tuesday, Murang'a county Water CEC Mary Magochi, accompanied by employees of Muwasco, and Murang'a South Water (Muswasco) toured the facility for stock-taking.

The process kicked off five days after President William Ruto ordered Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zachary Njeru to start the handing-over process without further delay.

"We are adhering to the president's directive, and we have commenced the process to transfer the management of the dam to the new service provider Muwasco. We are hopeful this will be done smoothly, to allow Muwasco to distribute water to residents," said Magochi.

The Water CEC asked the two players to ensure smooth transfer in compliance with the president's order.

She noted that Muwasco can distribute water sourced from the Maragua dam to more than 20,000 houses.

"The construction of the dam was completed in two years, and it would be prudent for Muwasco to connect all the residents to water supply. Muwasco was picked to distribute water in Maragua as it has the required technical capacity," said Magochi.

Muswasco Managing Director Mary Nyagah assured that they are willing to hand over the facility to Muwasco in respect of the presidential directive.

"We have managed the dam for two years and we are in the handing over process to ensure everything is done as required," said Nyaga.

Muswasco has been using the dam to supply water to Maragua town, Summer, Kambiti, and Maragua Ridge, among others.