Governor Barchok orders overhaul at financially troubled Bomet Water and Sanitation Company

Barchok said the company was suffering from chronic mismanagement, revenue collection failure, and poor service delivery.
The county government last week appointed three new directors to the board — Eric Langat, Seline Rotich, and Clara Koech.

Governor Barchok cited chronic mismanagement, poor revenue collection, and unsatisfactory service delivery, which he said have left many residents without reliable water supply.

The county chief has directed changes in the company’s management and operations, saying the utility will undergo full restructuring to improve efficiency and ensure residents receive consistent water services.

During Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday, the governor voiced concern over the company’s operational and financial difficulties, which he said had disrupted service delivery.

“The Bomet water company has experienced challenges that have led to poor service and unreliable water supply for our residents. We cannot continue this way, and that is why I have taken measures to streamline operations at the firm,” he said.

He said the company had experienced serious financial constraints, including failure to collect adequate revenue and delayed salary payments for some employees.

“We cannot stand by while such critical services fall short. We must work together to support the company and restore proper service delivery for the benefit of our people,” he added.

Barchok said the restructuring aims to strengthen Bomwasco’s capacity to meet the growing demand for water across Bomet county, including extending connections to schools and more households.

“We want Bomwasco to expand water connections to schools and communities. Our goal is to ensure that every household, or at least the majority of our residents, has access to clean water,” he said.

As part of the restructuring, the county government last week appointed three new directors to the board — Eric Langat, Seline Rotich, and Clara Koech — who are expected to steer the company toward better service delivery.

Barchok expressed confidence that the new leadership will deliver quick and tangible results.

“The current changes in the company will yield fruits. I have full faith in the team we have put in place, and they have my full support to take Bomwasco to the next level,” he said.

Since its establishment in 2013, the firm has managed 14 water schemes with over 20,500 connections serving approximately 123,000 consumers in Bomet county.

The governor also noted that the company is adopting renewable energy to cut electricity expenses.

He said the solarisation of the Bomet town water scheme is already complete, while the Longisa town scheme is nearing completion.

“We are adopting renewable energy and will solarise all operations to reduce the cost of pumping water,” he said.

Barchok added that the upcoming Bomet–Longisa–Mulot water project will rely on gravity flow, further reducing energy costs associated with water pumping in the region.

Governor Hillary Barchok’s move to overhaul Bomwasco marks a bold attempt to confront long-standing inefficiencies in Bomet’s water sector. His directive underscores frustration over poor service delivery, weak revenue collection, and financial instability that have left residents without reliable water. By restructuring management and introducing new directors, Barchok signals intent to professionalize the utility and restore public trust. His emphasis on renewable energy and gravity-fed systems also reflects a shift toward cost-efficient sustainability. The success of these reforms, however, will depend on transparent implementation and whether the new leadership can overcome entrenched operational and financial challenges.