Accra: The rush by people to draw water in Migori County has risen in the past few weeks with a majority of residents carrying yellow plastic containers in search of this important natural resource. The trigger is the prolonged dry spell weather condition that is not only affecting Migori County but also several other regions across the country. The impact has forced people to mobilize all means of transport at their disposal to help fetch and ferry the now highly sought-after commodity, using donkeys, hand-pulled or donkey-pulled carts, bicycles, cars, and lorries, besides human transport.
According to Kenya News Agency, towns and markets like Migori, Awendo, Isebania, Rongo, Uriri, and Ranen are not supposed to suffer from acute water shortages as is the situation at the moment. Mr. William Ochieng’, a resident of Migori town, claims the town is experiencing a lack of water due to corruption and inept behavior of the officials at the Migori Water and Sanitation Company (MIWASCO) and the county’s water department. He points out the discrepancy between full water tanks and dry taps, citing corruption and mismanagement as the primary culprits.
His accusations resonate with many residents who believe that some business people in the private sector are colluding with water officials to disrupt smooth water distribution. Residents complain about a deliberate move by senior water company and department officials to create opportunities for water boozers to supply expensive water. Mr. Vincent Marwa, another resident, called for thorough investigations into top county officials allegedly involved in water hawking, which he claims leads to dry taps in various towns.
The emergence of numerous water boozers in the region has raised suspicions among locals. These water cartels, including senior county officials, allegedly use large lorries to supply water to areas where they have interfered with the waterlines to create artificial shortages. This manipulation allows them to profit at the expense of residents who struggle with access to water.
The hardest-hit areas include Migori Referral Hospital, where patients rely on family members to fetch water due to shortages, and various government offices, schools, and residential estates. Despite the presence of three large water treatment plants, the facilities remain underutilized, exacerbating the water crisis. Staff from the water company reveal that financial constraints, including unpaid power bills, hinder optimal operation of treatment plants.
MIWASCO Managing Director, Mr. Sam Nyandiga, has assured residents that efforts are underway to improve water services, denying allegations of fraud in the water sector. He mentioned ongoing expansion and repairs to upgrade water distribution and meet customer demands. However, residents remain skeptical, demanding accountability and swift action to resolve the persistent water crisis.