Even the courts appear to be unimpressed by President William Ruto’s desire to further burden Kenyans who are already taxed.
This comes after it thwarted his devious scheme to gouge Kenyans for water.
High Court Judge Justice Mugure Thande stopped the execution of the higher water costs, which would have increased tenfold on February 1, 2023, in his judgement.
He barred Water CS Alice Wahome and the Water Resources Authority from levying, enforcing, or implementing the charges pending the outcome of a civil society complaint.
Wahome, the Water Services Regulatory Board, the National Assembly, the Council of Governors, and the Senate have also been asked to respond to the lawsuit by June 12, 2023.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the application, an order of stay be and is hereby issued staying the implementation of the Water Use Charges as set out in Part B of the Second Schedule of the Water Regulations, 2021,” Lady Justice Thande ruled.
Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Group, Likii Water Resources Users Association, Mt Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership, and Likiundu Water Resources Users Association were among the civil society organisations who brought the claim.
They stated that the higher water costs exacerbated the country’s economic position, and they chastised the administration for implementing the legislation without holding public consultations.
The Water Resources Authority (WASREB) enacted new water levies targeting irrigation, fish farming, and commercial use on February 1, 2023.
Water rates were increased tenfold, from 50 cents to Ksh5 for every 1,000 litres of water sold to consumers, causing outrage among stakeholders who claimed that the move would force some vendors to close their doors.
