Taps to Run Dry as Nairobi and Bungoma Launch Mass Disconnections Over Unpaid Bills

The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) and the Bungoma Water and Sewerage Company have commenced a large scale disconnection exercise to address a deepening revenue crisis. The move follows months of warnings to consumers regarding outstanding bills that have hampered the ability of these utilities to maintain existing infrastructure and fund new projects.

In Nairobi, the crackdown officially intensified this week following a notice issued by the utility firm. The exercise targets all categories of consumers including residential households, commercial businesses, and government ministries. According to senior officials at NCWSC, the aggressive stance is necessary to safeguard the financial sustainability of the city's water and sewerage services, which are currently under pressure from high operational costs and significant non-revenue water losses.

The utility provider has emphasized that no exemptions will be granted during this period. Government agencies, which often hold substantial debt to municipal providers, are among the primary targets in this revenue recovery drive. For construction sites and industrial zones, the disconnections could lead to immediate project delays, as water is a critical component for both site operations and statutory compliance.

Further west, the Bungoma Water and Sewerage Company has initiated a similar campaign. The exercise in Bungoma covers domestic customers, schools, hospitals, and hotels. Local authorities in the region noted that the accumulation of unpaid bills has reached levels that threaten the continued delivery of clean water and the maintenance of sanitation systems.

The financial strain on these water service providers reflects a broader national trend. Recent reports indicate that several water firms across the country are facing insolvency due to a collective debt estimated at billions of shillings. Unpaid electricity bills owed to Kenya Power and the inability to repair aging pipeline networks have left many utilities unable to meet the growing demand for water in expanding urban centers.

To avoid disconnection, consumers in Nairobi have been directed to use the *260# USSD code to check balances and make payments via mobile money. In Bungoma, similar digital payment platforms have been activated to streamline the recovery process. Utility managers have clarified that reconnections will only be facilitated once all outstanding arrears are settled in full, alongside the payment of standard reconnection fees.

Beyond the immediate goal of debt collection, these measures are intended to provide the capital necessary for infrastructure upgrades. The Nairobi utility has pointed out that revenue shortfalls directly limit the expansion of distribution networks and the repair of major leaks. Without a consistent cash flow, the development of new water supply lines and the modernization of sewerage treatment plants remain stalled.

Residents and business owners have been urged to regularize their accounts at regional offices to avoid the inconvenience of service interruptions. As the crackdown continues, the focus remains on ensuring that water service providers can transition toward a more sustainable financial model capable of supporting Kenya's urban growth and infrastructure requirements.