Water tariff review opens door for public input
Residents in Makueni, West Pokot and Samburu counties will have an opportunity to present their views on proposed water tariff adjustments as the sector regulator moves ahead with the review of charges for three water service providers.
The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has received applications for retail water service licences and tariff reviews from the three providers, setting the stage for a public consultation process before final decisions are made.
According to the regulator, the proposed tariff adjustments are intended to enable water service providers to recover the costs associated with delivering services while maintaining financially sustainable operations. The additional revenue would also support investments required to improve water infrastructure and service delivery.
WASREB has invited consumers, residents and other interested stakeholders to participate in public consultation meetings scheduled across the three counties later this month. The consultations are expected to provide an opportunity for members of the public to examine the proposals, raise concerns, seek clarification and submit recommendations before the regulator makes its final determination.
The first consultation will be held in Makueni County on October 27, 2026, at Mbumbuni AIC Church in Mbumbuni Market. Stakeholders in West Pokot will then meet on October 28 at the Multipurpose Hall of Mercy Centre Vocational Training College at Chepareria Water Scheme.
The final meeting will take place in Maralal Town, Samburu County, on October 29 at Ripalat Hotel.
All three consultations will begin at 10am and will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing stakeholders to participate either physically or virtually.
The tariff review comes amid broader adjustments in water charges across the country as providers seek to align revenues with the cost of service delivery and planned improvements. In Nairobi, for example, the approved residential tariff is currently Sh68 per cubic metre for the first six cubic metres, increasing to Sh85 for consumption of seven to 20 cubic metres and Sh91 for usage between 21 and 50 cubic metres.
WASREB has also linked approved tariffs in Nairobi to service improvement targets, including expansion of water and sewerage coverage.
For the three providers under review, details of the proposed tariffs, investment plans and performance targets have been made available through WASREB. Members of the public can submit oral or written comments and raise questions during the consultation process.
Written submissions may also be sent to the regulator within 30 days of the publication of the notice on October 6, 2026.
The regulator’s public participation process is expected to inform the final tariff decisions while ensuring that proposed charges are considered alongside service quality, investment needs and the interests of consumers.
