Nairobi Water boss opens up on hostile reception from residents during meter checks
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 21, 2025Nairobi Water Works Managing Director, Engineer Muguna, appeared before the Senate on Monday, July 21, 2025, alongside Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, where he was put to task over the status of more than 15,000 water meters in Nairobi that remain unread and unaccounted for.
The session sought clarity on the matter, which has raised serious concerns about service delivery, billing accuracy, and revenue loss within the county.
In his submission, Engineer Muguna detailed the daily struggles faced by Nairobi Water staff while attempting to access water meters in residential areas.
He described how the hostile reception from residents has become a major obstacle to effective meter reading. In several cases, staff are either denied entry, physically attacked, or met with unleashed dogs as a form of deterrence.
These incidents have not only hampered operations but have also led to court cases, with the agency providing evidence of assaults and obstruction.
“We strive as much as possible to make sure we read all the meters in this town. At times our staff go to those places, and dogs are open to them, and we can provide evidence for that; at times staff are clobbered properly; we can provide evidence for all this, and they become court cases where when our staff want to read the meter, the customers do not want the meter to be read,” Muguna stated.
The MD explained that many residents intentionally tamper with meters or create conditions that make them inaccessible. In homes where only domestic workers are present, instructions are often left barring any form of engagement with Nairobi Water personnel.
In some cases, the presence of dangerous dogs is used as a form of resistance to prevent access to the meters.
“Whoever is left in the compound is maybe a house help with instructions not to allow anybody to enter the compound, and when our staff enter, those people open the doors to them. We have been trying to read all these meetings,” he added.
To address the growing inaccessibility, the agency has resorted to writing notices requesting homeowners to open their gates at specific times.
In certain instances, Nairobi Water has also attempted to relocate meters to external points to improve access.
However, despite these efforts, the problem persists, especially in gated communities and private residences where hostility is more pronounced.
Sakaja’s suggestion
Governor Sakaja, who was present during the session, appealed to the Senate to consider formulating legislation that would impose heavy penalties on individuals who obstruct utility staff from performing their duties.
He emphasised that unless stricter laws are enforced, the continued sabotage of essential services such as water supply will remain a challenge.