Water consumers in five counties are set to pay higher bills after the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) approved new tariffs covering households and businesses in Kirinyaga, Mandera, Kiambu, Homa Bay and Nyeri.
According to a gazette notice dated September 11, the revised tariffs will apply during the 2026/2027 to 2028/2029 financial years, allowing the affected water service providers to plan their operations and investments over the period.
In Kirinyaga County, customers served by Kirinyaga County Water and Sanitation PLC (KICOWASCO) using between one and six cubic metres of water per month will pay Ksh80 per unit. The tariff will rise progressively, reaching Ksh145 per cubic metre for customers whose consumption exceeds 300 cubic metres.
WASREB said it approved the increase after reviewing the utility's application and considering submissions from stakeholders.
“Having considered the application, the written and oral submissions by all stakeholders and the current data, WASREB has determined that an upward tariff review is justified for KICOWASCO to improve service delivery, operate sustainably and protect consumer interests by meeting the tariff conditions attached to the tariff,” stated the notice in part.
In Mandera, customers of Takaba Water and Sewerage Company Limited (TAWASCO) will face some of the highest domestic water charges among the five counties. The tariffs start at Ksh180 and increase to Ksh312 for customers with high consumption levels.
Despite the higher tariffs, the Mandera County Government continues to provide annual financial support to the water utility.
In Kiambu, households supplied by Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company (KIAWASCO) will pay Ksh91 for their first six cubic metres of monthly consumption.
The rate will increase progressively based on consumption, reaching Ksh160 per cubic metre for customers using more than 300 cubic metres each month.
Homa Bay residents will also experience an increase in their water bills, although the adjustment is comparatively smaller. WASREB approved a 4.46 per cent tariff increase for customers of Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company (HOMAWASCO) for the 2026/2027 financial year.
In Nyeri, customers supplied by Tetu Aberdare Water and Sanitation Company (TEAWASCO) will see tariffs rise by 4.37 per cent. The regulator said the increase followed an assessment of the utility's performance.
WASREB said the revised tariffs were approved after individual water companies submitted applications seeking adjustments to their existing charges.
The regulator explained that the reviews are intended to enable the utilities to improve service delivery, maintain financially sustainable operations and safeguard the interests of consumers.
The changes will also affect sewerage charges in most of the affected areas. Sewerage fees are generally calculated at 75 per cent of a customer's metered water consumption.
WASREB warned water service providers against failing to implement the approved tariffs in accordance with the regulations. Utilities that breach the requirements could face sanctions under the Water Act and the Public Finance Management Act, including suspension or cancellation of their operating licences.
The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect one month after the publication of the respective notices. Customers in the five counties are therefore expected to begin seeing the revised charges on their upcoming water bills.
The latest approvals come less than a month after WASREB approved new tariffs for water service providers serving Kisii, Eldoret, Narok and Tharaka-Nithi on August 17.
Under those revisions, consumers in Kisii, Narok and Tharaka-Nithi faced increased charges, while residents of Eldoret benefited from lower tariffs following a ruling by the Water Tribunal.
