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Eldoret religious leaders join protest over 300pc water tariff increase
Water drops from a tap at a compound in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County on September 18, 2025. Residents have protested against a High Court order that upheld an increase in water tariffs.
Residents of Eldoret City, joined by religious leaders and traders, staged a peaceful protest on Friday against the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company’s (Eldowas) decision to raise water tariffs by 300 percent, a move they say will worsen the cost of living.
Led by Sheikh Abubakar Bini, the chairman of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, the protesters marched to the Eldoret Court of Appeal to file a petition challenging a High Court decision that upheld the tariff increase.
“We will not be muzzled,” Sheikh Bini declared. “We will explore all legal avenues to ensure the tariffs are reviewed to a reasonable 50 percent increase. It’s unconscionable that the High Court allowed this exorbitant increase while a related case is still pending.”
The cleric warned that residents would continue to take to the streets if forced to pay the higher rates, urging President William Ruto to intervene and protect residents of his home city from what he termed an unfair burden.
The protests follow a ruling by the Environment and Land Court, which struck out a petition filed by residents opposing the new tariffs. The court cited a lack of jurisdiction, clearing the way for Eldowas to implement the increase.
Political activist Kipkorir Menjo criticised the ruling, warning that it could discourage investors from setting up in Eldoret.
“We are not giving up,” Mr Menjo said after filing the new petition. “We will appeal the ruling and ensure justice is served. The cost of water in Eldoret should be among the lowest in the country, given that it flows by gravity. It is unfortunate that Eldowas is insensitive to the plight of residents.”
A local trader, Mr Azul Aziz, urged Eldowas to explore alternative funding sources such as development loans rather than transferring operational costs to consumers through steep tariff hikes.
Residents have since instructed their lawyer to file an application for a stay of execution to halt the implementation of the new rates. The appeal also seeks an injunction to suspend the tariffs until the case is heard and determined.
As the court prepares to issue directions on the matter, residents remain resolute in their push for affordable water services.
In response, Eldowas management defended the increase, saying it reflects rising production costs and followed public consultations before approval.
The outcome of the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for Eldoret’s residents, with some attributing the increase to the town’s recent elevation to city status.
