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Water shortage hits Kisii County

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Water vendors in Kisii County fetch water at Getacho Water spring near Nyanchwa area in Kisii town on Monday January 22, 2018. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Water shortage has hit Kisii town and its environs for the past one month, a situation complicated by contaminated streams.

Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO) already warned residents that the problem will persist with water rationing programme set to continue.

The problem has been complicated by a report from the public health department that most water sources in the town are polluted.

Water vendors have been reaping big from the booming water business with a 20 litre jerrycan going for between Sh20 and Sh50 depending on where one lives.

“I have been purchasing water for the past three weeks. Our taps ran dry and it has been hectic using over Sh200 daily for the basic commodity,” said Ms Jane Nyaboga.

For those who cannot afford water from vendors, they have to wake up early to avoid the long queues in water points.

“If you cannot fight your way here, you will end up waiting for the whole day, and probably go back without water,” said Mr Joseph Mokaya who was at Nyanchwa spring.

The most affected villages include Mwembe, Jogoo, Nyanchwa , and Daraja Mbili.

GWASCO Chairman Mr Benjamin Onkoba said the water rationing programme will be revised if the need arises so as to ensure that many consumers as possible share the commodity.

“We appeal to residents to use very sparingly the water they will get during this rationing programme,” he said.

Mr Onkoba said long term measures are being undertaken by the national government in collaboration with the Kisii County Government, Nyamira County Government and Lake Victoria South Water services Board.

In a previous interview, Lake Victoria Water Services Board Director Mr Victor Omanwa said they were expanding Kegati Water Treatment Plant at a cost of Sh2.6 billion, and which upon completion will ease water problem.

With the expansion, the plant is set to increase its production capacity to 27 million litres per day.

Last week, residents protested raw sewage released into into some rivers, a situation that has escalated the current water shortage.

National Environment Management Authority county Director Tom Togo said they had launched a campaign to stop residents and companies from draining wastes into rivers and other water bodies.

“At least 14 people have been warned on the same,” he said.

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