By Jerry Nguwa
Nairobi, July 13 2009

Less than a week after American president, Barack Obama criticised the Kenyan political leadership over corruption, some concrete evidence have started to emerge here locally.

Hapamedia reported yesterday the state of water shortage in Nairobi, the Kenya Minister of Water and Irrigation, Charitu Ngilu has attributed the scarcity on a cartel that is on rampage to make millions to the detriment of the population.

Different reports have emerged on the issue. The Nairobi city mayor has told the press that 60 percent of Nairobi water is being used illegally for farming usage in and around the city. He says that the farm owners are connected to some powerful and influential individuals in the industry. And also some Nairobi Water and Sewage Company senior employees who run water selling business at exorbitant prices.

Indicted body to curb corruption

Although the Nairobi Water and Sewages Company together with its parent ministry have promised to dig boreholes in Nairobi estates where water shortage has hit hard. Today, the ministry of water and irrigation inaugurated a borehole and fixed the price of a 20 litres jerry cane at 2 Kenyan Shilling(1$- 75 Ksh).

What remain to be seen is how efficient is the pricing control system implemented. As if that's not enough to Nairobi resident's problem, the concerned ministry has pointed the on the spot company to curb the corruption wave by cartels causing water shortage.

http://www.hapamedia.net/news/news_water_nbo.php