Kirinyaga’s pre-paid water meters expected to boost efficiency

Kirinyaga Water and Sanitation Company Limited (Kiriwasco) will roll out an automated pre-paid water metering system in a bid to increase efficiency in the supply of the commodity in the county.

The token meters were introduced for piloting in an event held in Sagana on Friday.

Governor Anne Waiguru says the system will also help customers control their spending on water. It will also help in outage detection, tamper notification and lead to reduced labour costs.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Environment, Water and Natural Resources County Executive Jack Gutu during the launch of Kiriwasco Strategic Plan 2021-2026, Governor Waiguru said the system will provide a lasting solution to perennial complaints over huge and unexpected water bills

The company will also reduce the cost of employing meter readers as the meters have accurate consumptions data for billing purposes.

“Installation of the automatic meters is a laudable initiative that the company has embraced, which will definitely place it among the most competitive water companies in the country,” she said.

Kiriwasco now becomes the fourth company in Kenya to introduce such meters. The meters are already in use in Malindi, Bomet and Eldoret.

Water bottling plant

The Kirinyaga governor also commissioned the building of a water bottling plant that will help the company tap into the bottled water market and expand its revenue streams.

“The bottling plant will boost the company’s revenue collection base,” the governor added.

Data provided by Kiriwasco shows that the county has a 66 per cent water supply coverage. Out of Kirinyaga’s total population projection of 618,339 as at June 2020, 135,445 are served by 76 unregulated small scale water service providers and 275,364 are served by two regulated water service providers.

Ms Waiguru said a sewerage system is being put up in Kerugoya and Kutus towns to address problems caused by a rising urban population.

The county boss said the launch of the Kiriwasco Strategic Plan 2021-2026 marks a huge milestone towards the achievement of her goal of providing the highest standards of water and sanitation services to Kirinyaga residents.

She challenged the company to continue developing sustainable innovations that focus on all the key result areas and the timelines outlined within the strategic plan so as to keep pace with rising urban population.

More homes getting water

The governor said her administration has prioritised the development of water infrastructure which has seen an increment in the number of households accessing clean water.

“My administration has so far carried out more than 70 water projects benefitting over 50,000 people. The projects involve construction of water intakes and reservoirs, laying of water pipes, sinking of boreholes as well as distribution of water tanks to help in harvesting and storage of rain water,” she added.

The projects include Mwea Makima water project which is now serving residents of Wang’uru town and its environs, Riagicheru, Kithiriti-Musangondi irrigation water project, Kiandegwa, Togonye, Kitheru, Rurii and Kiorugari in Mwea. In Ndia constituency, the county government has completed Mukui, Sagana and Mung’etho water projects and Kiburu and Kamoro borehole projects among others.

In Gichugu constituency, Ngariama, Njukiini and Kiagikiki projects are among those completed.

Kiriwasco Managing Director Ephantus Maina said the strategic plan seeks to ensure increased water production, expansion of water infrastructure, water treatment and operational efficiency.

Mr Maina said in order to empower staff, the company has purchased 25 motor cycles that will go a long way in ensuring efficient service provision.