JIBU, a water company, says counterfeit distributors and retailers are to blame for unsafe water after Jean-Pierre Mazimpaka, a citizen, raised concerns on Twitter about finding algae in a JIBU water bottle that was not due to expire until September.

The complaint quickly gained attention from the public and regulatory authorities, prompting JIBU to take action.

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Darlington Kabatende, the Regional Director at JIBU, issued a handwritten letter in response to the complaint, assuring consumers that the company takes the quality and safety of their drinking water seriously.

Kabatende acknowledged that there are counterfeit distributors and retailers who sell unsafe water under the JIBU brand name, but noted that steps are being taken to address the issue.

Kabatende further said that JIBU uses a four-step filtration method to produce clean and safe drinking water, but has been hindered by start-up water companies that collect JIBU bottles to refill them with their own unsafe water and sell them at lower prices.

Two JIBU franchises were among the seven water companies suspended by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority in June 2022 for producing unsafe drinking water.

Julien Astrida Nkurikiyinka, the Competitive Practices Officer at RICA, has encouraged consumers to report any violations of their rights and assured them that RICA is working to ensure businesses comply with the law and respect consumer rights.