Slum Residents in Homa Bay Decry Dry Taps, Unsafe Lake Water

Residents of the Shauri Yako slum in Homa Bay Town decry a month-long dry taps as water shortage hits various parts of the town.

The residents have been experiencing this shortage for the past month, which has caused them to resort to using unsafe water for domestic use. Sheryl Omondi, a mother of four and a resident of the informal settlement, said that they have been using water from the lake, which is often smelling.

"For the past month we have been using water from the lake because the taps have run dry, we are at risk of contracting diseases from the smelling lake water," she said.

Mrs Omondi also said they have been buying water from hawkers who take advantage of their situation, making them use sewer and untreated water.

"Hawkers who supply water to this slum have taken advantage of the shortage, and due to lack of funds we have been using sewer water for domestic use like washing," she lamented.

Ruben Onyango also decried that the informal settlement was left out of the manifesto that the current county government vowed to them.

"During the campaigns, the politicians promised clean, tapped water. Now that they are in power, we still have no clean water for our families," said Ruben.

Ruben also sympathized with his neighbourhood, as they live closest to the shores of Lake Victoria but still lack water to drink. He also highlighted that sewer water from other parts of the town has made the lake water unbearable.

" We have drainages that pour into this lake, the environment near the lake is filthy and this affects our people since this is the water we use to cook and drink in our houses because of the water shortage," Ruben reiterated.

Managing Director for Homa Bay Water and Sanitation Company Tom Nyonje addressed the residents' claims of water shortage. He said the problem was caused by their huge electricity bill, which has burdened them.

"The 19 million debt that HOMAWASCO owes KPLC has caused a water shortage in town. We are making efforts to clear the bill so that we can get back to pumping water for our people," the MD said.

Mr Nyonje also said they have embraced renewable energy sources, which have helped them pump water across the town while waiting for the bills to clear.

"We have tried to ensure there is water in town, even though it is little. With the power from our solar system, we have managed to pump a few metric tons of water to serve the residents," said Mr Nyonje.

Homa Bay has been grappling with a water shortage despite owning 75 per cent of Lake Victoria's shores, which remains a wonder to the residents.