Hotels and restaurants in Nairobi will now be compelled to provide free clean tap drinking water to their clients.
Roysambu Member of County Assembly (MCA) Sospeter Mumbi sponsored a motion that was passed by the Nairobi County assembly, pushing the county government to draft regulations requiring all restaurants and hotels to offer free drinking water services to their clients.
He explained that there were still hotels and restaurants that did not provide free water despite the right to water and sanitation being enshrined in the Constitution.
“Concerned that most hotels and restaurants do not provide free clean drinking water to their customers, this Assembly urges the County Executive to develop regulations compelling hotels and restaurants across the County to provide free and clean drinking water for clients at their premises,” Sospeter said.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for the right of every person to access clean and safe water in adequate quantities.
Further, Paragraph 11 (b) of Part Two of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for County public works and services including water and sanitation services as a function of the County Government.
Most hotels in the city charge their customers for water sold in mineral water bottles.
The motion proposed to have Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration restore and revamp drinking water outlets that have been erected in parts of the Central Business District and around the county.
He noted that the taps should have running water and enable city residents to access clean water easily.
“Concerned that such designated areas stalled and are no longer in operation, this Assembly urges the County Executive to rehabilitate the existing stalled public points designed to provide free and clean drinking water to the residents of Nairobi City County,” read the order paper in part.
Robert Alai, the Kileleshwa MCA, seconded the motion, emphasizing the importance of water as a basic necessity of life.
He highlighted that some hotels were imposing high charges for water, making it challenging for certain customers to afford, as these establishments do not offer complimentary clean tap water.
“It is high time for the county government to rehabilitate and reinstall water points in Nairobi. Access to clean drinking water is becoming increasingly difficult for residents. Hotels should also prioritize offering complimentary clean tap water to their patrons,” Alai emphasized.
During the establishment of the Nairobi City plan, there were water outlets erected in various parts of the CBD to allow Kenyans to get free access to drinking water.