HI-TECH BILLING FOR MARSABIT WATER USERS

With funding from USAID/OFDA through FH (K), PACIDA has for the first time in Marsabit County, introduced a new high-tech water billing system- the pre-paid water meters. This system has been introduced in three locations i.e Dirib Gombo Borehole that has 2 meters with 3 taps each, Saku Water Kiosk and Shauri Yako water kiosk with 1 meter each that houses 3 outlets per meter. Upon initiation of the project, 28,500 people were set to benefit, however a total of 30,888 have so far benefitted. The pre-paid water meters has numerous benefits including 100% transparency and accountability as a result of existing monitoring software installed on responsible persons computers, 24/7 operations, zero unpaid for water, no kiosk operator required and increased revenue collection. The CEC Water, Environment and Natural Resources- Marsabit County Eng. Wako Guyo during the launch of Dirib Gombo Communal pre-paid Water Kiosk said he’ll encourage other stakeholders within the county to adopt the same technology in a bid to improve water access and sustainability.