As the world marked Water Day, residents of Mwingi had nothing to celebrate as they have suffered acute water shortage for the last three months. Most kiosks in the town have remained closed for days and water scarcity has led to an increase in the price of a 20 liter jerry can from 2 shillings to 50 shillings.
Maliti Mengi, a water vendor in Mwingi town said his business has been adversely affected especially during the harsh economic times. “I solely depend on selling water for survival. But for the last three months, business has been bad as water has become a scarce commodity and we now buy at 30 shillings and sell at 50 shillings where most locals cannot afford,” said Mengi. He said the hiked water price has made many customers shy off as 50 shillings is too much to afford.
“The water we are selling now is salty and not clean. We plead with Governor Ngilu to step in and ensure Mwingi has sufficient water as the history of the town facing water challenges keeps repeating itself,” he added. Mary Mulandi, a local said even to do chores has been a challenge as her children skip days without taking a shower and sometimes lack water to cook. “All we need is water, we are tired of this kind of life!”
Maria Wanza, another local said she had camped at a water kiosk for over 10 hours together with her 5 month old baby. “We have shifted from our homes and now spend most of time queuing for water where most of the time we return home without water,” she said. “Most days the kiosk remains closed and when it is opened, water ends at 9 am and we go back home and wait for the following day.”
Mwikali Musyoka said washing clothes, children among other duties has become hard and husbands are slowly giving up on the women as they seem to have failed in their duties. “Our houses have turned dirty, we leave early and return back late after a long day search for water, I urge the county government to step in and save us from looming broken marriages,” she pleaded.