Kenya: Shimo La Tewa Prison Water Cut Over Sh12 Million Bill

Mombasa’s Shimo la Tewa Prison is facing severe water shortage after the Mombasa Water and Sewerage Company disconnected its supply over a Sh12 million debt.

Speaking to the press yesterday, the new managing director Alome Achayo said the prison has not paid its water bill since December. “Truly, we did not want to disrupt the water supply to the prison. But we are using a lot of money to pump the water from Baricho station in Malindi,” said Achayo. “KPLC) Kenya Power and Lightning Company) also want to disconnect our power supply.”

Achayo said the prison’s authorities have not approached the company over the matter, saying it would have averted the disconnection.

“We are ready to restore the water but we must get a guarantee that they will pay. We have written to them an official letter to present to the Commissioner of Prisons,” said Achoya.

Margaret Chuma, the prison boss and currently on leave, confirmed that water supply to the facilities has been disconnected for three weeks.

“Yes, the water has been disconnected for the last three weeks. We have a bill but I cannot disclose how much on the phone,” said Chuma.

She said the Home Affairs ministry has been working to clear the bill and would settle it as soon as possible. “We are working with relevant authorities to clear the bill,” she said.

“We have been using salty borehole water. Although it is treated using chlorine,” answered the prison boss when asked how they have been surviving without tapped water.

The water company has meanwhile indicated that it would disconnect other government institutions that owe it millions of shillings in arrears.