Nyeri residents forced to buy water as taps run dry

Woman offloads water at a village in Lailuba, Tigania East, Meru. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Residents of various town in Nyeri County are experiencing water shortage forcing them to buy clean water.

Most affected are those living at rental houses within Muthinga area Aguthi-Gaaki ward in Tetu Constituency.

Locals lament that they are spending many hours looking for water. The situation has been ongoing for the last two months.

Eric Maina a barber within Muthinga said the water shortage has greatly affected his business.

"I must budget for water since I have to clean my customers after shaving them. This reduces the profit that I earn in my business," he said.

Stephen Wambugu, a tenant, says he is struggling to get water as his wife is nursing a newborn and they need clean water for daily chores.

"It's very expensive to buy water especially in this hard economic times. I just wonder what to buy food, water or pay rent?" Wambugu laments.

A 20-litre jerrican of water is being sold at Sh10 from neighbours with large water tanks, the same is sold at Sh20 from water vendors who hawk the commodity.

In December, before the Nyeri County Assembly proceeded for a long recess, Nyeri County Assembly Committee on Water and Sanitation Services visited the the Tetu Aberdare Water and Sanitation (Tewasco) office to address the water crisis.

The MCAs led by Chairperson Gikondi ward MCA Stephen Kigotho made the visit after a request for statements by Aguthi-Gaaki ward MCA Stanley Wakibia.

"What action is the department taking to resolve the water shortage in Aguthi-Gaaki ward where some people are buying water from private suppliers while still receiving a monthly bill from the water company," Wakibia said.

During the meeting Kigotho put Tewasco management to task to explain the efforts being made to resolve the water shortage.

When The Standard reached out to Nyeri CEC Water Fredrick Kinyua on the water crisis, he said the county was working to end the shortage.