By Brian Ayatta
Siaya-Bondo Water and Sanitation Company Ltd (SIBOWASCO) has launched a countywide crackdown on unlawful and unmetered water connections, with enforcement teams from the Water Police Unit (WPU) deployed across Siaya, Bondo, Ugunja, and Yala effective 17th June 2026.
The utility is undertaking an intensive compliance and metering exercise targeting all customers drawing water without approved meters. Residents and businesses in the target areas have been issued an ultimatum to regularize their water and sewer connections or face immediate disconnection and heavy penalties.
ROLE OF THE WATER POLICE UNIT
The Water Police Unit, established under Section 115 of the Water Act, 2016, operates under the National Police Service and is mandated to enforce water laws. During this exercise, WPU officers are authorized to conduct intelligence-led inspections, identify illegal connections and meter bypasses, disconnect unlawful lines, arrest suspects involved in water theft and vandalism, and prefer charges under Sections 77 and 147 of the Water Act, 2016.
The WPU will work alongside SIBOWASCO technical teams to ensure all disconnections are done safely and in compliance with regulations. The unit is also tasked with protecting water infrastructure from vandalism, including theft of valves, manhole covers, and fittings for the scrapa metal trade.
PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
Customers who fail to comply within the grace period will face enforcement action without further notice. Penalties include a Ksh 30,000 fine for unlawful domestic connections and up to Ksh 100,000 for commercial users, in addition to backward water consumption charges calculated from the date of last legal connection or from installation of infrastructure.
Affected households and businesses risk disconnection from the main supply by the Water Police Unit. Reconnection will only be done after full settlement of all penalties, charges, and deposits.
SIBOWASCO has urged all customers with unmetered or irregular connections to visit customer care offices in Siaya, Bondo, Ugunja, and Yala immediately. Assistance is also available via the official WhatsApp line 0715500071 to help customers avoid penalties.
“Failure to comply within the grace period attracts enforcement action without further notice."
The crackdown is part of SIBOWASCO’s intensified push to roll out smart meters across the county to improve consumption monitoring, enhance billing accuracy, and reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which currently stands at 42%.
“Metering is not punishment. It is protection for paying customers. The Water Police Unit is here to ensure fairness. When some consume without meters, everyone else pays higher tariffs. Regularize now. The grace period is your last chance before enforcement,” said SIBOWASCO Managing Director CPA Adipo Isaiah.