A Murang’a water firm is counting losses after one of its main pipes supplying water to parts of Gaturi division in Kiharu constituency was vandalized.

The vandalism of a pipe supplying water to parts of Gaturi ward has left more than 1,000 residents of Nyakihai and Mwirua villages with dry taps.

Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) reads sabotage in the incident perpetuated by unknown people since the piece of the pipe that was cut and taken away was of no meaningful value.

Muwasco’s Technical Services Manager Peter Karenjiu observed that the vandalism has caused the company a loss amounting to more than Sh1 million for a period of three days.

He noted that the pipe was cut off on Wednesday night at river Mathioya bridge and before the incident was established, thousands of litres of water had gone to waste.

Karenjiu on Saturday said that the residents who are supplied with water by the company will stay without the commodity as the company works to restore steady water supply.

“For the last six months, four vandalism incidents were reported in the areas of Embassy, Mumbi and Kambirwa. This has left the company with a loss amounting to over Sh5 million,” stated the manager.

He urged residents to protect water infrastructure that serves them in their areas to avoid such cases that affect their daily activities.

Karenjiu also appealed to security agencies to expedite investigations into the vandalism cases and ensure the culprits are brought to book and proposed that harsh penalties be served on them to deter similar incidents happening in future.

“We appeal to the local security agents to hasten the investigation and prosecution of the suspects who were arrested last year. This will help curb the incidents since vandalism is leaving families suffering for lack of water especially this time the county is experiencing drought,” averred the Manager.

Gaturi MCA Gathee wa Njeri observed that one of major challenges facing people of his ward is lack of water as the area is semi-arid and does not have many water sources.

Gathee who condemned the incident said it is unfortunate that vandals are frustrating the few homes that have been connected to tap water and called for stern action to be taken against the suspects once they are arrested.

“Over 90 percent of Gaturi residents do not have access to piped water and boreholes have dried up due to drought. They are now forced to use boda bodas to fetch for water from other areas,” lamented the MCA.

The area, he noted, is agriculturally rich but farming activities are incapacitated by the lack of water for irrigation that subjects locals to poor living standards.“If only we can get irrigation water in our homes, this area that is currently desolate would be transformed into a food basket,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Norman Maingi, a Mwirua resident, who said they spend the larger part of their days searching for water.

“We are appealing to the government to connect us with water because we are suffering,” he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency