Panic as exhauster operators threaten to dump raw sewer in Thika water treatment facility over hiked fee

THIKA, Kenya, Jan 6 – There was drama at the Thika’s water distributing company (Thiwasco) after over 50 exhaust operators threatened to dump 12 truckloads of raw sewage into its water treatment facility over hiked license fees by the Kiambu County Government.



This came despite the county battling several cases of cholera that have been reported in several Sub Counties in the past few months, with the recent cases being reported in Ruiru last week.



The operators stormed the treatment facility with full lorry tankers ready to pour the waste, but quick intervention by the police saved the situation.



Led by the Kiambu Waste Management Sacco Chairperson Martin Karanga they said despite the hike in fees, the county government has failed to repair the road that leads to the dumping site at Kangoki.



The fees was hiked by the Water Service Regulatory Board (WASREB), the statutory body charged with the economic and service regulations of the water services sector through a gazette notice from Sh5, 000 to Sh15, 000 a month. 



“We are not getting value for our money because despite the hike, the roads to the dumping sites are impassible. No official has come out to address our grievances and we shall act,” Karanga said



They threatened to stage a go slow if the impasse is not resolved; which might fuel the spread of cholera.



They also urged Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to increase the number of raw sewage discharging points in every sub county in order to decongest the manhole dumping site in Thika.



Moses Njuguna, a driver and Paul Mwaniki, a truck owner said they were tired of repairing their exhaust tankers due to the poor state of the Kangoki road.



Njuguna said his truck often gets stuck in the mud for days especially when it rains adding that their vehicles are always taken for repair after trips to the site.



Capital News