Residents decry water shortage in Homa Bay

A water shortage has hit Homa Bay town and its environs.

Residents said some parts of the town had not had piped water for up to six months.

The shortage has seen water vendors doubling their prices.

A 20-litre jerrycan that was previously sold at Sh15 is now going for Sh30, with vendors warning that the price might rise to Sh50 if the shortage continues next week.

Residents accused the water department of not addressing their plight.

“It is ironical that although we live next to Lake Victoria, we do not have clean water,” said Walter Opiyo, a resident.

There were concerns that the town was at risk of an outbreak of waterborne diseases because residents were using untreated water from the lake.

“Water from the lake is polluted with dangerous chemicals from factories and farms. It is also dirty and can spread diseases,” said another resident, Emily Akoth.

Contacted for comment, the county Water and Environment executive, Dickson Nyawinda, said the department was working to end the shortage.

“We expect the problem to end soon because the hitches are being resolved,” he said.