Editor's Review

The unit will comprise of officers from the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, January 30 formed a new specialized police unit, called the Water Police Unit (WPU).

The WPU unit will safeguard the security and safety of the vital water facilities, respond to any changing security dynamics, and ensure no criminal activity compromises vital water facilities in up to 34 counties.

Kindiki formed the unit in the wake of a revelation that the Ministry of Water has been losing up to Ksh 10.6 billion yearly on non-revenue water.

“The government has decided to categorise water infrastructure as part of critical infrastructure, likewise I have gazetted effective this month water infrastructure, reservoirs and all critical water sources as part of critical infrastructure, that falls under the Protected Areas Act which provides special protection,” Kindiki stated.

File image of Kithure Kindiki

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Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Paul Rono on his part expressed optimism that the new police unit will address the revenue loss once and for all.

“The government has been losing billions of shillings because of non-revenue water related to destruction of water infrastructure, non-payment of water bills and wrong metering and that’s why we are working with the Interior Ministry so as to address this problem once and for all,” Rono stated.

Deputy Inspector General of police Noor Gabow indicated that the number of WPU officers who will be sent to different locations would depend on the need.