Water Resources Authority and Police Vandalize Kieni Water Project Affecting Thousands of Families

The Water Resources Authority (WRA), accompanied by gun-wielding police officers, allegedly vandalized the Kamiruri water intake that serves more than 30,000 households.

Government officials reportedly vandalized the water meters, damaged the main outlet, and redirected the water back into the river, effectivelyshutting down the supply to thousands of familieswho rely on the system for daily use.

According to residents, the early-morning operation happened without prior notice, leaving communities shocked.

In an interview on December 7, 2025, Joseph Kagiri, the Chairman of Kieni Constituency Water Community Projects, condemned the vandalism.

“This is economic sabotage against thousands of households that rely on these water systems,” the chairman complained.

Kagiri said community members were stunned to see heavily armed officers providing security for an operation that directly harmed the same citizens the state is mandated to protect.

The Mutitu Water Project serves a wide area spanning the counties of Laikipia, Nyeri, and Nyandarua, meaning the damage had disrupted domestic use, irrigation, livestock watering, and local businesses that depended on steady water access.

The move has also raised serious questions regarding the legality and procedure of the officers’ actions, as it did not entail public participation, consultation, or a court order.

The vandalism occurred despite a High Court judgment passed in November 2025, stating that the Mutitu Water Project and its infrastructure belong to the community.

In response to the actions of the WRA officials and police, the chairman vowed to mobilize the community and lawyers to take legal action against the perpetrators.

“This is an act of hooliganism and vandalism, and we will take it to a court of law,” Kagiri concluded.