Residents of Homa Bay Town are grappling with a severe water shortage that has persisted for a month, following the disconnection of power supply to the main water intake by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
The reason? An outstanding electricity bill of Ksh.10 million owed to KPLC by the county government.
The impact of this crisis is deeply felt across various estates including Got Rabuor, Shopia, Shauri Yako, Makongeni, and other neighboring villages.
With taps running dry, residents are left with no choice but to resort to untreated water from Lake Victoria, putting them at risk of contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera.
The dire situation has led to a surge in the prices of water sold by local vendors within Homa Bay Town.
With scarcity driving demand, vendors are taking advantage of the crisis, doubling the price of water.
Consequently, residents now have to pay between Ksh.20-30 for a mere 20 liters of water, a significant increase from the standard rates.
Expressing their concerns, residents are urging the County Government to intervene and settle the outstanding electricity bill.
They argue that the water they are currently forced to use is unsafe for human consumption, posing a serious threat to public health.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by residents, the Managing Director of Homa Bay Water and Sewerage Company (HOMAWASCO), Tom Nyonje, admitted to the difficulties in supplying water due to the pending bills.
However, he assured the public that they are actively working to resolve the issue. Nyonje affirmed that efforts are underway to address the outstanding electricity bill, with hopes that the situation will be rectified within the week.
As the water crisis continues to worsen in Homa Bay, urgent action is needed to ensure the well-being and safety of the residents.
The collaboration between relevant authorities, including the County Government and utility companies, is crucial in addressing both the immediate challenges and the underlying issues contributing to the crisis.
Only through swift and concerted efforts can the residents of Homa Bay be provided with access to safe and reliable water resources.
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