Principal Secretary State Department of Water and Sanitation Dr Paul Ronoh flagged off Water Police unit (WPU) vehicles in Kericho County on 26th June, 2023.
The PS said the vehicles will provide armed security and protection of critical water utilities to avert criminal activities of water theft and vandalism.
Ministry has intensified efforts to protect water infrastructure just like any other critical Government infrastructure that is protected by the law.
The Ministry deployed Water Police Unit within the jurisdiction of the nine Water Works Development Agencies with the aim of protecting water infrastructure by curbing vandalism and illegal water connections.
The WPU will ensure that genuine and legal connections thrive, leading to reduction of Non-Revenue Water and improvement of revenue generation by water utilities.
They are also expected to protect water catchment areas, riparian areas, river banks, forests and dams.
Dr Ronoh said Water management is a very critical component in the whole ecosystem of water deployment and added that going forward to utilization of technology in the management of water will be elevated.
He also urged contractors and Kenyans at large to take the lead role in protecting water pipeline systems and meters along road reserves against damage to prevent taxpayers’ money from being wasted undermining last mile water reach to the grassroots.
The Water Police Unit was launched on 30th January, 2023 by the interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithuri Kindiki together with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation leadership at Harambee House through a gazette Notice No. 1043 of 31st January 2023.
The roles of the WPU under section 27(G) and (H) of the National Police Act 2011 are; to provide protection of Government property, vital installations and strategic points as may be directed by the Inspector-Genera and rendering support to Government agencies in the enforcement of administrative functions and the exercise of lawful duties.
