Kisumu water firm in bid to reduce costs

Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (Kiwasco) is grappling with a tight budget that is threatening its operations.

The company is now undertaking drastic measures to reduce the cost of pumping water to boost its revenue.

Governor Jack Ranguma made the revelations during celebrations to mark the company's ISO 9001:2008 re-certification award by Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) on Wednesday. 

Ranguma said the firm is grappling with high energy costs. He said the energy costs are consuming between 20 and 25 per cent of the company's revenue, and agreed to scale up innovative interventions to enhance efficiency in water delivery.

The firm has been undertaking major expansion works with second phase of such projects completed last year with capacity of 36,000 cubic meters that will permanently secure the county's water needs up to 2032.

Kiwasco has also taken a swift approach in boosting its operations by partnering with other institutions to help customers settle their bills through various mobile payment platforms such as MPESA.

Managing Director David Onyango said the company is in the process of implementing an Integrated Mobile Utility Management (Imum) system that will automate some critical processes like handling customer complaints and managing meters.

"We are proud to have had the courage to embark on refining the processes and systems of Kiwasco in order to benchmark our management standards with the best companies in the world," said Mr Ochieng.

One of the strategies the firm is banking on to reduce power costs includes supplying water through gravity.

Mr Ranguma congratulated the company for playing a valuable role in setting world class service delivery standards, and urged the management to continue working with industry stakeholders in tackling water issues in the county.

"The county alongside industry stakeholders are investing in utilities to ensure effective service to county residents. To date, I am happy to report that we have made significant progress," he said.

He added: "I appreciate the efforts made by the company in partnering with industry stakeholders to tackle water and other development issues."

KBS Managing Director Charles Ongwae congratulated the water company and called upon other organisations to provide quality services and to show evidence by attaining the ISO Certification.

"Demand for mission-critical quality management in organisations continues to increase as the economy improves; companies should strive to invest in quality standard procedures that are aligned to available resources and ensure they are being used strategically to advance the most critical business goals which drive growth," he said.

The county, which owns 51 per cent shares in the company, has mandated it to manage supply of water in the entire county.

The process, which has already started with small utilities like Gulf Water and Nyakach Water Supply are being managed by the firm with an aim of bringing on board world class management systems to ensure residents get excellent services.