#NoToWaterPrivatization

Water rights in Kenya are facing a dire threat from efforts to introduce privatization. The recent passing of the Water Act (Amendment) 2023 to introduce so-called Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) creates a long term genuine risk to water access. These risks include potential increases in water tariffs. Further, PPPs in the water sector are prone to lack of transparency and corruption as demonstrated with the Arror and Kimwarer dam scandals. There has been no evidence that private sector involvement in water has any positive effects on water access especially among poor communities.

#NoToSmartMeters

We also reject the introduction of so-called smart meters. In Kenya, the county governments of Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, Siaya and others are in various stages of implementing smart meters. The deployment of smart meters has had entirely negative effects on access to water for communities in countries where the system is implemented by severely restricting water access. This has resulted in less access to water, privacy concerns and harsh and punitive enforcement measures. Automatic disconnection of water by such a system without any chance to contest exposes citizens to water borne diseases.

#JustRiparianManagementNow

We reject the Nairobi Riparian Corridor Plan. The plan will cause widespread displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens of Nairobi especially those living along rivers. First, the definition what constitutes a riparian zone is entirely arbitrary. Areas along poorer communities are punitively zoned as riparian lands while similar areas in affluent areas are not similarly designated. Thus evictions happen only in poorer communities. Further the definition of riparian zones should preclude flooded area marks where water flow is artificially disrupted, caused by siltation, river load or abnormal rainfall. The plan should not result in widespread eviction of people in informal settlements and disruption of livelihoods.

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