Governor Mutua threatens to seize water firm if re-elected

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has threatened to disband the Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO) in a bid to resolve the water crisis that has hit Athi River, Mlolongo towns and other wards in the county.

Speaking at Junguini slums in Mavoko, Dr Mutua said most of the water companies in the county are mismanaged and are derailing his agenda to provide water to more than 300,000 households across the vast county.

In his 2017-2022 manifesto, the county boss pledged to supply water to all households by 2020.

The Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement leader said if he is re-elected, his administration will seize control of all pubic water firms in the county to ensure that residents are supplied with clean water consistently for free.

“I want to assure the residents of Mavoko sub-County and its environs that, once I am re-elected, my first assignment will be to disband MAWASCO and ensure that people are supplied with water for free. We will increase water in the area by digging boreholes as well as finishing construction of KIMC dam,” Mutua said.

Mutua said that as soon as he is re-elected, all slums in Machakos County will have all-weather roads and sewer systems, a project that will be funded through a partnership with the Belgium government and the World Bank at an estimated cost of Ksh3 billion.

The former government spokesperson also reaffirmed his plan to pay academic fees for all youth from the county pursuing higher education starting from September this year.

“My government will ensure anyone interested in pursuing higher education from certificate to PhD gets a scholarship regardless of their socio-economic background,” Mutua said.