The Water Services Regulatory Board has invited residents and other stakeholders to take part in public consultations on proposed water service licences and tariff adjustments affecting three water providers in Kericho, Bomet and Wajir counties. The meetings will give consumers and institutions an opportunity to share views on planned changes in water service delivery, pricing and infrastructure investments.
According to the regulator, the consultations follow requests from three water companies seeking approval to operate retail water services and to review their tariff structures in order to support full cost recovery and ensure stable service delivery. The applications were submitted by Kericho Water and Sanitation Company Limited, Bomet Water and Sanitation Company Limited and Wajir Water and Sewerage Company Limited.
The review process will also examine a proposal linked to the Itare-Litein Water Supply System. The Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency has applied for a bulk water supply licence and tariff approval to operate and manage the project, with plans to supply water in bulk to the Kericho and Bomet service areas.
The regulator said the planned engagement forums are being held under its responsibilities set out in the Water Act. Section 70(1) requires the board to safeguard the rights and interests of water users, while Section 87(1) requires public participation when licences and tariffs are being considered.
During the consultations, participants will be able to present their views on licence approvals, tariff adjustments, service performance and proposed improvements to water infrastructure. WASREB said the meetings are meant to allow open discussion before any decisions are made on the applications.
The first consultation will take place in Kericho on March 24, 2026 at 10:00am at the Kapcheptoror (Timbilil) Water Treatment Plant grounds near Brooke Shopping Centre. Discussions there will focus on the licence and tariff request from Kericho Water and Sanitation Company Limited and the bulk supply proposal from the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency for the Itare-Litein system.
A second public forum is planned for Bomet Town on March 25, 2026 at 10:00am at St. Bhakita grounds next to the County Commissioner’s office. This meeting will examine the proposed tariff changes from Bomet Water and Sanitation Company Limited as well as the bulk water supply licence and tariff request related to the Itare-Litein project.
The final consultation is scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 10:00am at the Grand Oasis Hotel next to Wajir Referral Hospital in Wajir. The session will focus on the licence application and tariff review submitted by Wajir Water and Sewerage Company Limited, along with further discussion on the bulk water supply proposal.
WASREB noted that before these public forums take place, each of the water providers must conduct meetings with stakeholders across the zones within their service areas. Reports from those engagements are expected to be submitted to the regulator as part of the evaluation process.
Members of the public will be able to take part either by attending the meetings physically or by joining virtually. Participants are encouraged to present their views both orally and in writing on matters such as service quality, water pricing and the investments proposed by the providers.
For those who may not attend the sessions, information about the tariff proposals, planned minor investments and performance targets has been made available on the regulator’s website.
The board also said written comments can be sent through email or delivered physically to its offices in Nairobi. Submissions will be accepted for 30 days from the date the notice was issued, after which the feedback will be reviewed as part of the final decision on the licence and tariff applications.
The consultations form part of wider efforts to improve openness and accountability in the water services sector. Through public engagement, the regulator aims to ensure that any changes to tariffs or licensing arrangements reflect the views of consumers and other stakeholders.
Officials said the use of both in-person and virtual participation is intended to encourage wider involvement from residents, civil society groups, local leaders and institutions interested in how water services will be managed in Kericho, Bomet and Wajir.
