Water disputes to be solved within 6 months as CS Wahome hands over appeal board to Judiciary

All disputes concerning water resources or water services will now be solved within 180 days of filling.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony at Chief Justice Martha Koome’s office in Nairobi, Wahome noted that currently, there are over 100 pending cases at the ministry that have been unsolved for the last 8 years that will get to be solved.

The tribunal will have the power to hear and determine any dispute concerning water resources or water services where there is a business contract unless the parties have otherwise agreed to an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

It shall exercise the powers and functions set out in Act 2016, and in particular shall hear and determine appeals at the instance of any person or institution directly affected by the decision or order of the Cabinet Secretary, the Authority and Regulatory Board or of any person acting under the authority of the Cabinet Secretary, the Authority and Regulatory Board.

The move also makes people with water disputed not have to queue at the High Court to get justice.

Also present at the handing over was the Judiciary’s Registrar of Tribunals Anne Amadi.