Water shortage hits Homa Bay after weeks of supply disruptions

An acute water shortage has hit Homa Bay estates after weeks of disruption in supply.

Several residential estates in the town have had dry taps for about three weeks. The worst affected is Shauri Yako estate.

For three weeks in a row, the informal settlement has not received water supply despite the county administration giving promises of ending perennial water shortage.

Previously, the county government would supply water at least twice every week.

Jennifer Otieno, a resident, says water sold to them by vendors is expensive and its quality cannot be trusted.

“We were used to getting tap water on Tuesday and Friday. Any changes in the supply causes a lot of inconveniences to most people,” Otieno said.

Source of water

Most families here have turned K’Oginga beach along Lake Victoria as the alternative source of water.

The prolonged drought has worsened the situation as families that depended on rain water have their tanks dry.

Some residents expressed fear of a possible outbreak of diseases associated with poor quality water.

A section of the residents of Homa Bay faulted Homa Bay Water and Sanitation Company (Homawasco) for failing to communicate to its customers on water supply disruptions, saying the situation has caused them a lot of inconvenience.

They said perennial water supply interruptions in most parts of Homa Bay town should be  announced in good time to enable families adopt to changes whenever they arise.

Homa Bay Bunge La Wenye Nchi leader Water Opiyo said proper communication between the water company and its customers would build trust.

“It would be essential that the company sends notice to its customers on any operations leading to interruptions on water supply,” Opiyo said.

Supply interruptions

Homawasco Managing Director Dan Oketch said the agency has a communications department that informs the public whenever there are water supply interruptions.

Oketch however failed to disclose the channel they use to send messages to their customers. Residents asked the agency to normalise periodic water supply as a measure for eradicating disease infections. The residents appealed to governor Gladys Wanga’s administration to save them from the predicament.