The Taita Taveta County government has responded to remarks made by the Coast Water Works Development Agency Director in the county regarding recent water supply disruptions, debts owed by the county’s water service provider, and the location of the key Mzima Springs.
Residents in parts of Taita Taveta County, particularly in Voi Constituency, experienced a week-long water shortage that sparked concern among locals.
Speaking earlier, Coast Water Director in Taita Taveta and Chair of the Technical Committee Judith Wabosha said the shortage was caused by both infrastructure challenges and outstanding debts owed by water service providers supplied through the Mzima pipeline.
She said there was lack of water in the county which affected Voi Constituency mostly for a week.
Wabosha explained that a burst in the main pipeline worsened the situation, but noted that supply interruptions had begun earlier.
She said that three days before the burst which was caused by high water pressure, Coast Water had already cut off water supply because Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (TAVEVO), Kilifi Water and Kwale Water had a debt.
According to her, Kwale cleared its debt while Kilifi paid part of what it owed. She said that “Taita Taveta also paid their debt but a very small amount which was one million shillings because by third quarter, they had a debt of Ksh 69 million.”
Wabosha said Coast Water had previously held meetings with TAVEVO where the company committed to settle its outstanding balance.
She said that they had a meeting in which TAVEVO committed to pay but out of the Ksh 69 million debt, they only paid one million.
She added that settling the debts would help ensure consistent water supply to residents.
She said that they are expecting TAVEVO to pay their debt so that the citizens can receive constant water supply.
Wabosha noted that maintaining the water supply infrastructure is costly and requires adequate funding.
She said repairs and maintenance is costly hence the need to pay the debts that goes along way even in paying their staff.
“I therefore urge TAVEVO to comply with our agreements during meetings and avoid blame games,” said Wabosha noting that citizens will not understand mixed stories.
She also addressed claims that water from the Mzima pipeline is directed mainly to coastal counties such as Mombasa County explaining that, “The truth is that there is an arrangement between the Coast Water and all WSPs. Everyone has water rationing. There is a week for Mombasa, there is a week for Taita Taveta, there is a week for Kilifi and also Kwale because all of them use one line, the Mzima Line.”
Wabosha said the rationing arrangement ensures that counties supplied through the pipeline receive water in turns and urged leaders to avoid politicizing water issues.
Wabosha urged leaders to shun from putting politics on development issues especially on water saying that water is life.
She also responded to concerns from residents questioning why they should pay for water sourced from Mzima Springs which they believe lies within Taita Taveta County.
“It is just recently when the boundaries were moved and Mzima Spring is in Makueni and not in Taita Taveta,” she said.
She added that while water is a natural resource that citizens have a right to access, the pipeline infrastructure requires maintenance which must be financed.
Wabosha noted that although the Mzima line passes through Taita Taveta County to supply other coastal counties, the springs themselves are not located within the county.
She urged all stakeholders to carry out their responsibilities to ensure residents do not continue suffering from water shortages.
Responding to the remarks, Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Granton Mwandawiro said the county government enjoys a good working relationship with Coast Water.
“I want to say that the hearsay that water was cut off to TAVEVO by Coast Water are false. Coast Water did not cut off water supply and we are working well with them,” said Mwandawiro.
He said the disruption was caused by maintenance works on the main pipeline before a burst occurred at night following March 2.
He said repair works were undertaken until March 6, 2026.
“From 7th of March, water supply was restored and at the moment we are reaching to the part of having a balance where each area receives water,” he said.
Mwandawiro also addressed the issue of the location of Mzima Springs, saying the claim that the springs lie in Makueni County is sensitive and could create tension among residents.
“According to our documents and the information which is even online, Mzima Springs and all the index are in Taita Taveta County. All the coordinates are there, we have a water masterplan that shows that Mzima Spring is in Taita Taveta County,” said the CECM.
He cautioned leaders against spreading what he termed as false information and urged stakeholders to avoid associating water projects with politics.
On the issue of water rationing, Mwandawiro said the county government had not been informed of any such arrangement.
“Those are things that Coast Water has not told us and there is not even a single meeting that we have been called and talked about water rationing.”
The county executive also said the Coast Water director represents residents of Taita Taveta County on the board and should advocate for the county’s water interests.
“Because she does not represent water issues affecting the residents of Taita Taveta County, there are so many other people who can represent our county. She should be removed in that Board so that we get someone who can articulate the water issues affecting Taita Taveta,” said Mwandawiro.
He noted that TAVEVO operates as a limited company and its finances are audited every financial year.
According to Mwandawiro, the audited accounts for the 2024/2025 financial year show that TAVEVO paid about Ksh 70.7 million to Coast Water.
The county executive also called for renewed attention to the Mzima II Water Project, saying the existing Mzima I system has served the region for decades and is increasingly prone to bursts.
He said the pipeline, which has been in operation since 1956, frequently develops faults that disrupt supply to residents.
Mwandawiro further urged the national government to consider waiving historical debts owed by water service providers.
“Historical debts are huge of over Ksh 600 million but which have not been verified to know the real value,” he said, adding that reconciliation should be conducted for all water supply companies before a decision is made.
He said waiving the debts would help water service providers remain financially stable and continue delivering water services to residents.
