Nairobi Water earns Senate praise over improved audits, Sh12.6bn revenue

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja/NCCG

The Senate has commended the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company for its improved financial accountability and stronger audit performance.

This follows the utility firm's record revenue of Sh12.6 billion for the last financial year.

The issue arose when Governor Johnson Sakaja appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee to respond to queries on Nairobi County’s financial management.

During the session, senators acknowledged progress in financial oversight, noting that the Office of the Auditor-General had issued a qualified audit opinion for the county’s water utility—an improvement from previous financial assessments.

Committee members also praised the company’s revenue performance, describing the Sh12.6 billion collection as one of the highest ever recorded by the capital’s water utility.

Senators said the improved revenue demonstrated stronger systems for billing, collection and financial management.

Governor Sakaja attributed the progress to reforms introduced by his administration aimed at tightening financial controls and boosting efficiency in service delivery.

“These results demonstrate the reforms we have introduced to strengthen accountability and efficiency in service delivery,” Sakaja said.

“We are committed to ensuring that public resources are managed transparently while improving water services for Nairobi residents,” he added.

The Senate committee also pledged to intervene and push national government agencies to settle outstanding water bills owed to the county.

Committee chair Geoffrey Osotsi said the Senate would engage ministries and state agencies—including police stations—to ensure they clear arrears running into hundreds of millions of shillings.

Lawmakers said the unpaid bills have strained the operations of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, despite the improved revenue performance.

Osotsi directed that the committee will formally engage the relevant government institutions to ensure the pending payments are settled promptly.

He noted that settling the debts would help strengthen the financial sustainability of the county’s water utility and support continued improvements in water service delivery.

Senators also emphasised the need for national government agencies to fulfill their payment obligations to counties under Kenya’s devolved system of governance, warning that persistent arrears hinder the ability of county entities to provide essential public services.