Centre for Litigation Trust joins Coast Governors in demanding the dissolution of Coast Water Board

The Centre for Litigation Trust has joined Governors from the Coast region Counties in calling on President William Ruto to dissolve and send home directors and top managers of Coast Water Works Development Agency.

Five Coast governors had earlier on Wednesday threatened to storm the offices of the Coast Water Services Board and forcefully evict staff over what they termed as failure to maintain infrastructure and ensure a steady water supply in the region.

Governor Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (Mombasa), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River), and Kwale’s Fatuma Achani, who was represented by her deputy, issued the warning during a press conference held in Kilifi at a two-day Council of Governors retreat.

Centre for Litigations Trust Executive Director Julius Ogogoh applauded the leaders for their bold move to enforce accountability on the Coast Water Works Agency Board of Management.

Mr Ogogoh asked coast residents to join their governors in demanding better services from the state water agency.

"I want to congratulate the five governors for their bold move, which is an extra-ordinary since Kenya became independent. We at the Centre for Litigation Trust are ready to stand with the likes of Governor Mungaro and Governor Abdulsamad in ensuring that the entire board of Coast Water Works Agency, together with top managers, go home with immediate effect," declares Mr Ogogoh 

However, the CLT Director said the change of management at the Coast Water was overdue following numerous complaints and outcry from residents over the perennial water shortage in almost all six Counties in the region

Mismanagement, corruption and overlapping of laws governing water, which is an essential commodity, have been cited as major problems affecting various water agencies across the region.

Recent audit reports have shown that the county water entities, including Mombasa Water and Sewage firm, collectively owe the Coast Water Works Development Agency billions of shillings in outstanding payments. 

The funds are essential for the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implementation of development programs, and expansion of water services to underserved communities, according to an audit report.

The CLT Director said the county governments need to rethink the laws governing the water sector in the region and the country in general.

Meanwhile, Patrick Ochieng, the CLT Director incharge of Programs,  says the Water Act needs to be reviewed to clearly define the roles of county water entities in the management of water services in the devolved units.

He echoed the Executive Director's sentiment that county water entities, being devolved units, must be funded adequately to enable them to secure sufficient water quantity, and ensure timely supply and distribution.