Water crimes: illegal connections, meter tampering, river diversion and dumping
Water Act, 2016 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
It is a crime to connect to a water permit holder's works without authority, interfere with them, or deface, alter or remove a water meter or measuring device without written permission. Diverting a river or throwing waste into a water source is also an offence, punishable by up to KSh 1 million, 2 years in jail, or both.
- Where
- Water Resources Authority (wra.go.ke) for rivers and water sources; your county water company for connections and meters; appeals to the Water Tribunal.
Steps
- The Water Resources Authority, the regulator, the county or the water provider can order the person to clean up the pollution or remove illegal works within a set time.
- These bodies can also take the person to court; anyone else can still bring their own case.
- If you receive such an order and disagree, you can appeal to the Water Tribunal.
Watch out
- If the order is ignored, the authority can do the work itself and recover the cost from you through the Tribunal.
- Obstructing a water inspector or a provider's employee doing their work is also an offence.
Who this covers
- Everyone: households, farmers, businesses and developers near rivers and water sources.
Official sources (1)
- Water Act, 2016 (No. 43 of 2016) wasreb.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026