How source of life turned into river of death

Families bathing in River Riana. It is said that the river’s waters carry cholera. [PHOTO: BENJAMIN OBEGI/STANDARD]

Kenya: Elkana Onyango, 62, remembers vividly that River Riana used to be very clean until the early 1990s when heightened human activity resulted in its pollution. The river, shared by three counties - Kisii, Migori and Homa Bay - has over the last few years been identified as the source of dirty water for thousands of users downstream.

This has led to frequent diarrhoea outbreaks among its users. “This river used to be clean. But these days, it is very dirty because of human activities. Towns where the river originates have poor sewerage treatment and management systems.