Water suppliers in a spot as 11 die

By Peter Orengo

Beware of the water tankers that supply ‘clean’ drinking water in your neighbourhood.

Word is out some of the vendors are using the same vehicles to offer sewage services.

The Government, through its Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia, gave the warning on Sunday following the death of 11 people from suspected cholera outbreak in Makadara and Mukuru kwa Njenga slum.

Two people died in Makadara from what health officials confirmed to be cholera.

In Mukuru slum, at least nine people died last week with 700 being taken ill.

Health officials said the patients experienced stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting.

However, the officials hinted that tests carried out in the expansive slum showed that the disease was a combination of cholera and another unknown disease.

Mr Kimemia, who led officials from the Office of the President in a tour of the affected area, issued a directive for all suppliers in Nairobi to have their water tested to ascertain whether they were fit for human use.

Face the law

"There are so many licensed and unlicensed water tankers operating in the city. Wananchi have no way of knowing whether the water they carry is fit for domestic use. The Government will randomly stop them and carry out tests and if the water is contaminated they will face the law," said the PS.

For slum dwellers, Kimemia announced that the Government would provide them with clean water until the cholera outbreak is over.

Nairobi Provincial Heath Officer Sam Okello said tests carried out on patients at Embakasi District Hospital complaining of stomach problems would be out today.

"We have ascertained mixed causes in the outbreak, but we will know the true ailment when results are released tomorrow (today)," Okello told journalists who had accompanied Government officials.

He, however, cautioned people from buying water from vendors who he said had taken advantage of the water crisis in the city.

Mr Okello also discouraged people from buying food from open-air vendors because those who have been affected reportedly ate food sold to them by the roadside.