Nairobi residents may soon pay fines if they block county officials from reading water meters.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has proposed penalties to ensure smooth access for water meter readers across the city.
The governor spoke on Monday, July 21, while appearing before the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee.
He explained that the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) continues to lose revenue because its staff face difficulties accessing meters in homes.
Sakaja revealed that many homeowners are away when meter readers arrive.
Even when housekeepers are present, they often refuse to let officials in.
The governor said this refusal happens because domestic workers act under strict instructions not to allow strangers entry into the compound.
He told senators that this challenge affects revenue collection and creates unnecessary losses for the water utility company.
The governor now wants regulations to impose penalties on homeowners who block meter access.
According to him, such rules will compel residents to cooperate and allow meter readings without delays.
“Many homeowners instruct their workers never to open for anyone. This makes meter reading impossible,” Sakaja said.
“We are proposing fines to ensure residents provide access.”
The move is part of Sakaja’s broader plan to improve service delivery by NCWSC, which has faced criticism for frequent water rationing, leaks, and billing inefficiencies.
His administration also plans to replace faulty meters and expand piped water supply to estates that depend on vendors and boreholes.
However, some senators expressed concern that fining residents without proper sensitisation might lead to public backlash.
They urged the county to first launch awareness campaigns to educate residents on the importance of meter reading.
If adopted, the fines will form part of new water management reforms aimed at boosting Nairobi’s revenue collection and ending persistent water shortages in the city.
By Kenyans