Following the disconnection of electricity by Kenya Power and Lighting Co., Nzoia Water and Sewerage Co. (Nzowasco) the service provider for the most precious and now unavailable commodity in Bungoma town and its environs has made a tough decision to disconnect water and sewer services to compel defaulters into paying their debts.
KPLC discontinued its services at Matisi and Nabuyole water plants on Friday, 23 April 2021. This comes even after Nzowasco has for two moths struggled to reduce the 20million debt it owed KPLC when the power company disconnected last; 4 million paid upon reconnection and 6million paid last month. Nzowasco was expected to make another payment at the end of this month but KPLC had other plans… They disconnected demanding that Nzowasco makes full payment at once.
The Water Company has also opted to go for its debtors especially the ones with highest bills led by BONITO Properties Ltd a company associated with Bungoma County governor Wycliffe Wangamati that manages Tourist Hotel – Bungoma with a bill of Kshs. 2,721,506.39; Sewer 649,845.74 and Water 2,071,660.65. BONITO has never paid a single water bill since it leased the teachers’ premises for 20years in 2017. Water and Sewerage services to Tourist Hotel have therefore been discontinued.
Bungoma residents have for months gone without water for various reasons;
- Lack of power due to disconnections resulting from huge unpaid bills
- Politically correct contractors who damage lines but fail to repair
- Low pressure at some areas courtesy mechanical problems with the pump at Matisi water plant
Nzowasco has also invoiced Bungoma County Govt. – Ministry of Roads about 4.5million a bill that resulted in the damaged caused by road contractors around Bungoma town. The County govt who entered in an MOU with contractors to take responsibility to repair such damages has been duly paid the contractors but have refused forward the amount to Nzowasco who do the repairs on behalf of the County govt.
