Reports indicated that the landlords had installed illegal water connections, denying Kitui Water and Sewerage Company (KITWASCO) much needed revenue.
This prompted the water company in conjunction with Kitui County police officers to hunt down and nab the suspects.
“The situation is shocking. We found that some of them have diverted unmetered water into wells and tanks to evade paying water bills.
“KITWASCO is supposed to be making over Ksh30 million monthly but we are hardly realizing Ksh15 million,” KITWASCO chief officer Kioko Kiilu stated.
He added that due to these constraints, the company could not afford to pay its own bills. His sentiments were backed up by the company’s managing director Geoffrey Gitonga who issued a warning to rogue staff over alleged collusion with the landlords in carrying out the underhanded dealings.
“Let all those involved be warned that we will unearth their underhand dealings and ensure that they face the law because what they are doing is criminal,†Gitonga stated.
A section of landlords are known for their underhand tricks to con unsuspecting residents or evade paying bills.Â
A recent trick involved landlords offering discounted prices to lure Kenyans to reside in premises that are prone to flooding.
They mostly carry out these offers during the dry season. The tenants would be impressed with the aesthetics of the house as the landlords would repaint them and ensure it’s in top notch condition only for the tenants to realise they have been swindled as soon as the rainy season begins. For instance, a resident in the Nairobi Parklands area fell victim to the scam.
“I paid deposit fees and 1-month rent and called my usual fundi to fix up the place. He has a sharp eye and took me around the house showing me the water damage line covered in a poor paint job, the damaged tiles outside, the flood lines along the wall and riverbank, I couldn’t believe it,†she affirmed.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
