Kenya Union of water and sewerage employees (KUWASE) have emerged the winners in protracted battle between them and Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Nahashon Muguna.
For several months, the union and the Managing Director have been battling over his term extension by the board.
And on September 26, 2025 Muguna tendered his resignation yet he had secured a court order allowing him to serve until December as Kuwase claimed that he was supposed to have retired.
“The decision has been reached after careful consideration, and I believe it is the best interest of both myself and the organization at this time,” Muguna’s letter dated September 26, 2025 to the board reads in part.
Adding that, “I have resigned to pursue other endeavours and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of this great city of Nairobi
Muguna’s last days in office were marred with leadership wrangled pitching two unions at the same company, Kenya Union of water and sewerage employees (KUWASE) and Water Services Workers Union (WASWU).
But Kuwase moved to court in 2024 challenging the board’s decision to extend Muguna’s term beyond retirement age.
He had, however, secured stay orders and was supposed to serve until the end of 2025.
Kuwase officials had accused the board of alleged double standards in the implementation of the Public Service Act claiming that how staff in different departments are treated was against the provisions of Section 80 (1) (a) and (b) of the Public Service Commission Act.
“Our fight was that we have a retirement age that is well defined in the constitution that at 60 anyone in public service leaves the office and we wanted the law be applied equally,” Wycliffe Onditi who is Kuwase, Nairobi branch secretary general
Adding that, “We welcome the resignation and we honour him for what he has done and achieved, but it is time for another person to come in and serve and push the company to the next level and we promise to support whoever will be brought in,”
The union treasurer James Mumo said Muguna’s resignation was a good move thanking Nairobi Water board for observing labour laws.
“No one is above the law, because we cannot, there is no way that those in in the senior positions are allowed to serve beyond 60 years and the juniors ones are pushed out upon attaining that retirement age,” Mumo said
Adding that, “law must be followed, and to all the people in the management positions ad Nairobi Water Company be ready to go when you attain the retirement age,”
Meanwhile, the Water Service Workers Union said the Muguna’s position should be advertised immediately adding that they will accept to work with anyone who will be appointed by the board.
“We call for a thorough investigations touching on procurement deals in the company even as we appeal for the national government to appoint a qualified engineer from the Ministry to take over; not someone who will be imposed by City Hall,” stated Waswu national secretary General Matilda Jebet
“We want the relevant authorities to come and investigate some people in the company including those who have been siphoning money using falsified foreign trips,” Jebet added
