Mombasa Pipeline Board Act

LAWS OF KENYA
THE MOMBASA PIPELINE BOARD ACT
CAP. 373
Revised and published by the National Council for Law Reporting
with the authority of the Attorney-General as gazetted by the Government Printer
www.kenyalaw.org

Kenya
Mombasa Pipeline Board Act
Cap. 373
Legislation as at 13 September 1985
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Share widely and freely.

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373)
Contents
Part I – PRELIMINARY ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Short title .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Interpretation ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Part II – THE BOARD ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Establishment and constitution of Board ....................................................................................................................................... 1
4.

of Board ....................................................................................................................................... 1
4.

Incorporation of Board ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1
5. Vesting of property in Board ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Part III – POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD ........................................................................................................................... 2
6. Functions of Board .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
7. Powers of Board ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Part IV – FINANCES ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
8.

................................................................................................................................................. 3
8.

Charges for water .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
9. Fund and banking account ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
10. Power to raise or borrow money ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
11. Power to invest ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
12. Estimates ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
13. Accounts and audit ...............................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

3
Part V – GENERAL ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
14. Compulsory acquisition ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
15. Protection from personal liability ................................................................................................................................................... 4
16. Liability of Board for damages ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
17. Power of Minister to give directions .............................................................................................................................................. 4
SCHEDULE (s. 3(2)) .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

.................................................................................................................................................... 4

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
MOMBASA PIPELINE BOARD ACT
CAP. 373
Assented to on 29 October 1957
Commenced on 10 March 1958
[Amended by Kenya (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2)
Regulations, 1963 (Legal Notice 396 of 1963) on 1 June 1963]
[Amended by Kenya (Amendment of Laws) (Miscellaneous Amendments)
(No. 3) Regulations, 1963 (Legal Notice 649 of 1963) on 1 June 1963]
[Amended by Kenya (Amendment of Laws) (Written Laws)
Order, 1963 (Legal Notice 2 of 1964) on 12 December 1963]
[Amended by Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 1964 (Act No. 19 of 1964) on 3 November 1964]
[Amended by Exchequer and Audit (Amendment) Act, 1985 (Act No. 12 of 1985) on 13 September 1985]
An Act of Parliament to provide for the establishment of a board, to be known as the Mombasa Pipeline
Board, for the development, supply and distribution of water within Mombasa District and elsewhere;
and for matters incidental thereto and connected therewith
Part I – PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mombasa Pipeline Board Act. 2.

for matters incidental thereto and connected therewith
Part I – PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mombasa Pipeline Board Act. 2.

Interpretation
In this Act—
“Board” means the Mombasa Pipeline Board established by section 3;
“Water Resources Authority” means the Water Resources Authority established by the Water Act, (Cap. 372);
“water undertaker” means a water undertaker within the meaning of the Water Act;
“works” includes pipelines, aqueducts, dams, chambers, pumping stations, reservoirs and filtration plants,
and all structures, power lines, roads, paths and services connected therewith. Part II – THE BOARD
3. Establishment and constitution of Board
(1) There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Mombasa Pipeline Board. (2) The constitution of the Board and the regulation and conduct of the affairs and business of the
Board shall be as provided for in the Schedule. 4. Incorporation of Board
The Board shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, and may in its
corporate name sue and be sued and may, for and in connection with the purposes of this Act, purchase,
hold, manage and dispose of land and other property, and enter into such contracts as it may consider to
be necessary or expedient. 1

s Act, purchase,
hold, manage and dispose of land and other property, and enter into such contracts as it may consider to
be necessary or expedient. 1

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
5. Vesting of property in Board
(1) All properties, assets, rights, debts, liabilities and obligations, and the benefit and burden of all
contracts made by or on behalf of the Government, which are part of, concern or relate to the
Government undertakings known as the Mombasa pipeline and the Mrere pipeline (hereafter in
this Act referred to as the undertakings), shall be transferred to and vest in the Board as hereinafter
provided. (2) The Minister may from time to time designate the properties, assets, rights, debts, liabilities and
obligations, and the contracts made by or on behalf of the Government, which are part of, concern
or relate to the undertakings, and as from the date of such designation the properties, assets, rights,
debts, liabilities and obligations so designated, and the benefit and burden of the contracts so
designated, shall vest in the Board without further or other assurance. (3) (a) The Board shall pay to the Government, in such manner and on such date or dates as the
Minister may from time to time require, the total amount expended by the Government on or
in connection with the undertakings.

ch date or dates as the
Minister may from time to time require, the total amount expended by the Government on or
in connection with the undertakings.

(b) For the purposes of this subsection—
“the appropriate date” means, in respect of any loan agreement made between the
Government and any person whereby money was borrowed by the Government and used for
or in connection with the undertakings, the date of the vesting of the loan agreement in the
Board under or by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this section;
“the total amount expended by the Government” means the sum of—
(i) all amounts paid by the Government otherwise than from moneys borrowed by the
Government under any such loan agreement as aforesaid; and
(ii) all amounts repaid, in respect of capital or interest, by the Government to any person
before the appropriate date under any such loan agreement as aforesaid. (4) If, within one month from the date specified by the Minister under paragraph (a) of subsection (3)
for the payment of any amount payable by the Board to the Government under that subsection, the
Board fails to pay that amount, it shall pay interest thereon as from the date specified as aforesaid
at such rate or rates as the Minister may from time to time determine.

t amount, it shall pay interest thereon as from the date specified as aforesaid
at such rate or rates as the Minister may from time to time determine.

(5) The Board may, or if the Minister so directs shall, secure the payment of any amount and interest
thereon for which the Board is or becomes liable under or by virtue of this section by the issue of
debentures secured upon the whole or any part of the property, assets or rights, both present and
future, vested in the Board under this section. Part III – POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD
6. Functions of Board
It shall be the function of the Board—
(a) to supply water in bulk to such water undertakers as the Minister may, after consultation with the
Board, by notice in the Gazette, designate in that behalf;
(b) to supply water, in bulk or otherwise, to such persons or class of persons as the Minister may, after
consultation with the Board, by notice in the Gazette, designate in that behalf;
(c) to do all such things as may be necessary or advantageous for securing an adequate supply of water;
(d) to apply for and obtain all such licences, permits and other authorities as may be required by the
provisions of any written law or as may be desirable. 2

pply for and obtain all such licences, permits and other authorities as may be required by the
provisions of any written law or as may be desirable. 2

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
7. Powers of Board
The Board may, for the purpose of fulfilling its functions, acquire and use any kind of property,
undertaking, right or privilege, and may dispose of the same to any person other than to a member, officer
or employee of the Board or to any agent or contractor appointed or employed by the Board; and may
enter into any contract or obligation whether it is to be performed in Kenya or elsewhere and to do all such
acts as the Board may deem necessary or expedient in fulfilling its functions. Part IV – FINANCES
8. Charges for water
(1) The prices to be charged by the Board for water supplied by it or the methods of charge for the
water shall be the prices or methods from time to time authorized by the Minister; and, in the case
of prices to be charged, or the methods of charge, for water supplied by the Board in bulk, that
authorization shall be published in the Gazette. (2) In determining the prices to be charged or the methods of charge, the Minister may, after
consultation with the Board, authorize separate prices or methods for any particular person or class
of persons or for any particular area. 9.

, after
consultation with the Board, authorize separate prices or methods for any particular person or class
of persons or for any particular area. 9.

Fund and banking account
The Board shall establish a fund into which all moneys received by the Board shall be paid and out of
which all payments made by the Board shall be made, and the Board may, for or in connection with that
fund, open a banking account or banking accounts. 10. Power to raise or borrow money
The Board, with the approval of the Treasury, may from time to time raise or borrow, whether by way of
mortgage, overdraft from a bank or otherwise, such sums of money for or in connection with the exercise
of its functions, powers and duties under this Act and for the purposes of this Act as may be necessary. 11. Power to invest
The Board may from time to time invest any sums standing to the credit of the Board in securities and
property, approved either generally or specifically by the Treasury, and may from time to time with similar
approval sell or vary any or all such securities or property. 12. Estimates
The Board shall, at such times as the Minister may direct, furnish the Minister with estimates of the
Board’s future revenue and expenditure and such other information as the Minister may require. 13.

direct, furnish the Minister with estimates of the
Board’s future revenue and expenditure and such other information as the Minister may require. 13.

Accounts and audit
(1) The Board shall cause to be kept such books of account and other books in relation thereto, and to
all its undertakings, funds, activities and property, as the Minister may from time to time require;
and shall, within a period of four months after the end of its financial year or within such longer
period as the Minister may approve, cause to be prepared, signed and transmitted to the auditor—
(a) a balance sheet showing in detail the assets and liabilities of the Board, and
(b) such other statements of accounts as the Minister may require. 3

a) a balance sheet showing in detail the assets and liabilities of the Board, and
(b) such other statements of accounts as the Minister may require. 3

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
(2) The accounts of the Board shall be examined, audited and reported upon annually by the Auditor-
General (Corporations) or by such other person as the Minister may appoint, being a person who is
a qualified accountant. (3) The Board shall produce and lay before the auditor all books and accounts of the Board, with all
vouchers in support thereof, and all books, papers and writings in its possession or control relating
thereto, and the auditor shall be entitled to require from all members, officers, employees and
agents of the Board such information and explanation as he may consider to be necessary for the
performance of his duties as auditor. (4) The expenses of and incidental to the audit shall be paid by the Board.

may consider to be necessary for the
performance of his duties as auditor. (4) The expenses of and incidental to the audit shall be paid by the Board.

(5) The Board shall, within a period of seven months after the end of its financial year or within such
longer period as the Minister may approve, submit to the Minister a report of its operations during
such year, and the yearly balance sheet and such other statements of account as the Minister shall
require together with the auditor’s report thereon; and the Board shall, if the Minister so requires,
publish them in such manner as the Minister may specify. (6) The Minister shall lay the Board’s report and the auditor’s report, together with the balance sheet
and such other statements of account as he may have required, on the Table of the National
Assembly within fourteen days of receipt of the reports and statements by him, or, if the National
Assembly is not sitting, within fourteen days of the commencement of the next sitting. [L.N. 649/1963, Act No. 12 of 1985, Sch.]
Part V – GENERAL
14. Compulsory acquisition
For the purposes of any written law for the time being in force relating to the compulsory acquisition of
land for public purposes, the functions of the Board shall be deemed to be public purposes. 15.

ing in force relating to the compulsory acquisition of
land for public purposes, the functions of the Board shall be deemed to be public purposes. 15.

Protection from personal liability
No matter or thing done by the chairman, vice-chairman or any other member, or any officer, employee or
agent, of the Board shall, if the matter or thing is done bona fide for the purpose of executing any provision
of this Act render such chairman, vice-chairman, member, officer, employee or agent, or any person acting
by his directions, personally liable to any action, claim or demand whatsoever. 16. Liability of Board for damages
The provisions of this Act shall not relieve the Board of the liability to pay compensation or damages to
any person for any injury to him, his property or any of his interests caused by the exercise of any power
conferred by this Act or by the failure, whether wholly or partially, of any works. 17. Power of Minister to give directions
The Minister may, after consultation with the Water Resources Authority and the Board, give to the Board
such directions of a general or specific character as to the exercise and performance of its powers in
fulfilling its functions as appear to the Minister to be requisite in the public interest, and the Board shall
give effect to any such direction. SCHEDULE (s. 3(2))
[L.N.

ions as appear to the Minister to be requisite in the public interest, and the Board shall
give effect to any such direction. SCHEDULE (s. 3(2))
[L.N.

396/1963, Act No. 19 of 1964, s. 2.]
4

396/1963, Act No. 19 of 1964, s. 2.]
4

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
Part I – CONSTITUTION AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD
1. Constitution
The Board shall consist of a chairman and eight other members, who shall be appointed by the Minister by
notice in the Gazette. 2. Duration of office of chairman and members
(1) A member of the Board shall hold office for such period, not exceeding four years, as may be
specified in the notice appointing him, and on the expiration of that period shall be eligible for
reappointment:
Provided that a public officer appointed as a member by reference to his office shall hold office as
such a member at the pleasure of the Minister. (2) The chairman of the Board shall hold office as chairman for a period of three years. (3) The Board shall once every year elect from amongst its members a vice-chairman who shall hold
office as vice-chairman for a period of one year. 3.

(3) The Board shall once every year elect from amongst its members a vice-chairman who shall hold
office as vice-chairman for a period of one year. 3.

Temporary members
Where the Minister is satisfied that a member is incapacitated by illness, absence or other cause from
satisfactorily performing the duties of his office, the Minister may appoint some fit person temporarily to
act for the member during his incapacity, and the temporary member shall, while he so acts, be deemed to
be a member of the Board. 4. Members’ expenses
The Board may, subject to the approval of the Minister, pay to a member such remuneration as it may
determine, and may pay such travelling and other expenses as may have reasonably been incurred by him
by reason of his office. Part II – MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD
5. Presiding officer
The chairman, or in his absence the vice-chairman, or in the absence of both a member elected by the
Board, shall preside at all meetings of the Board, and the vice-chairman or person presiding at any
meeting shall with respect to that meeting or any business transacted thereat have all the powers of, and
be deemed to be, the chairman of the Board under this Act. 6.

h respect to that meeting or any business transacted thereat have all the powers of, and
be deemed to be, the chairman of the Board under this Act. 6.

Meetings
(1) The Board shall hold ordinary meetings as and when necessary, but so that ordinary meetings are
held not less than twice in every year; and those meetings shall be convened by the chairman at
such times and at such places as he may deem fit. (2) The chairman, or in his absence the vice-chairman, shall at any time convene a special meeting of
the Board upon receipt of a requisition signed by two members calling upon him so to do, and the
special meeting shall be held not later than one month after receipt of the requisition. (3) The chairman shall have a casting as well as a deliberative vote; and subject thereto, the decision of
the majority of the members present and voting at any meeting of the Board shall be deemed to be
the decision of the Board. (4) At any meeting of the Board five members shall constitute a quorum. 5

at any meeting of the Board shall be deemed to be
the decision of the Board. (4) At any meeting of the Board five members shall constitute a quorum. 5

Mombasa Pipeline Board Act (Cap. 373) Kenya
(5) Subject to subparagraph (4), no act, decision or proceedings of the Board shall be questioned
on account of any vacancy in the membership thereof, or on account of the appointment of any
member of the Board being defective. (6) The Board may from time to time make standing orders providing for the regulation of—
(a) the meetings of the Board;
(b) the conduct of its business and other operations in carrying out its functions;
(c) the duties of its officers, employees and agents. 7. Common seal
The common seal of the Board shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of the Board or
of some other member authorized by the Board to act in that behalf, together with the signature of the
secretary to the Board, or some other person authorized by the Board to act in that behalf, and the seal
shall be officially and judicially noticed. 8. Signification of documents
All documents, other than those required by law to be under seal, made by, and all decisions of, the
Board may be signified under the hand of the chairman of the Board, or the secretary to the Board, or any
member of the Board authorized in that behalf.

ard may be signified under the hand of the chairman of the Board, or the secretary to the Board, or any
member of the Board authorized in that behalf.

Part III – OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE BOARD
9. Appointment of officers, employees and agents
The Board, with the approval of the Minister, may—
(a) appoint a secretary to the Board, who shall perform such duties as the Board may determine;
(b) from time to time appoint, at such salaries and upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit,
such other officers and employees as it may deem necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of
the business and operations of the Board, and may at any time terminate any such appointment;
(c) grant pensions, gratuities or retiring allowances to any officers or employees, and may require such
officers and employees to contribute to any pension or contributory scheme;
(d) establish and make contributions to a pension or superannuation fund and a medical fund for its
officers and employees;
(e) from time to time appoint and employ upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit such
agents and contractors as it may deem necessary. 10.

(e) from time to time appoint and employ upon such terms and conditions as it may think fit such
agents and contractors as it may deem necessary. 10.

Delegation by Board
The Board may, by resolution, delegate to any committee of the Board, or to any member, officer,
employee or agent of the Board, the exercise of any of the powers or the performance of any of the
functions or duties which the Board is authorized by this Act to exercise or perform, and either generally
or in any particular case. 6