Dear colleagues.
Dear Colleagues and Stakeholders,
It is my pleasure to present to you the future of the company. The economy of our country is at a critical stage especially in the light of the current COVID 19 Pandemic. The company is playing a critical role in provision of clean and safe water for hand washing as mitigation to the spread of Corona Virus. This coupled with the fact that most of our customers have economically suffered from the effects of the pandemic has put us at the center stage of ensuring that they continue enjoying our services despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. In addition, this has not dampened our commitment in attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2030, County Integrated Development Plan and the Strategic Objectives which are paramount to the success of the Company in the attainment of sustainable provision of water, sanitation and allied services. In addition, accountability and transparency is increasing. This creates the need for deliberate effort and focus on meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations, strengthening our systems to continually monitor and evaluate our service delivery mechanisms urgently. The importance of the company’s financial health cannot be overemphasized. This will be achieved through concerted effort and sound corporate governance. The strategic plan is alive to the fact that human resource is vital to its successful implementation. In this regard, the Management is focused on promoting the acquisition of new skills by members of staff through refresher courses and trainings. This will not only ensure efficiency in service delivery, but also helps them to remain relevant in the industry by keeping up with the new trends and technologies in the sector.
Further, the demand for water is growing and it is projected that by the year 2050, it will have grown by 20% and more scarcity will be experienced in the urban areas. NYEWASCO being a responsible corporate entity, we have stepped up our efforts in environmental conservation and promoting the notion of environmental consciousness among our stakeholders. We have dedicated our efforts in nurturing an arboretum at Kiganjo sewer pumping station which has largely boosted our tree growing efforts. Protecting our catchment area in the Aberdare forest is also our responsibility. We partner with the Chania River Water Users Association and local community to ensure that we continue enjoying a reliable source of water. 72% of the company’s service area has been classified as a low income area. The current strategic plan has established measures to ensure access to water and sanitation services in these areas by expanding water connection and sanitation access.
Currently, there are a number of challenges faced by the company; these include an old and dilapidated water supply network, meeting water demands of a growing population, a singular water source in the Aberdare forest, increasing cost of water production (chemical and energy), and environmental degradation. The Board of Directors, Management, and Staff with the input of our stakeholders have developed the Strategic Plan (2021/22 – 2025/26) to provide a basis for meeting these challenges. The Strategic Plan acknowledges the challenges and provides us with a road map on the pertinent issues that we need to address towards the achievement of universal access to water and sanitation services within the company’s area of service. Our Vision, Mission, Motto and Values are paramount to the achievement of the seven strategic objectives spelt out in this plan. These will be achieved by embracing the principles of good governance, ensuring the company is financially sustainable, innovation and adoption of new technology for enhanced service delivery, use of renewable energy and most of all remain customer focused through the provision of quality products and services to the delight of the consumers, continue to provide water and sanitation services in an efficient, effective, affordable and sustainable manner. Just as importantly, it allows us to share our plans with our stakeholders who include Government of Kenya, development partners, Nyeri County Government, customers, other local agencies, organizations, and regulators. We firmly believe it is an important tool for focusing our energies on. It will help us and future leaders make the types of decisions that will sustain the Company’s record of dynamic actions. I therefore take this opportunity to thank the County Government of Nyeri, Tana Water Works Development Agency, Board of Directors, and Senior Management Team, all members of staff and stakeholders and partners for their support in the process of developing the Strategy and call for support in the implementation of the company’s goals as stipulated therein. Presently, the company has embarked on an ambitious exercise of upgrading sections of the water supply network. This involves replacing old dilapidated pipes to HDPE pipes which are not only stronger but also reduce the number of joints thus promoting our fight against Non-Revenue Water (NRW). We pride ourselves to holding the record of the lowest NRW country presently which stands at 15% compared to the National average of 47% according to Water Services Regulatory Board’s The Impact 13 (A performance Report of Kenya’s Water Services Sector- 2019/20). The challenge is on us to reduce this NRW percentage even further hence increasing the amount of water that reaches to our customers’ homes as we strive to maintain the exemplary services we offer.
The company has been the sector leader for the last 13 years. We recognize and appreciate the effort of those who came before us, gave their all and set the pace for the future. The strategic plan (2017-2021) achieved up to 91% of its objectives overall with the remaining 9% being brought forward to the new planning period. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that we implement it to the letter.
God Bless NYEWASCO, God Bless us all.
Eng. Peter G. Kahuthu, The Managing Director, NYEWASCO.