Water shortage hits Kisumu – Kenya News Agency

Kisumu City is experiencing water shortage due to supply disruptions from the main Lake Victoria intake.

The affected areas include Dunga, Nyamasaria, Central Business District, Arina, Milimani, Manyatta, Nyalenda, Poly View, Ondiek, Industrial Area, Dr. Robert Ouko, Kisumu National Polytechnic, and Nubian. Whereas, key health facilities, among them Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital, and Lumumba Hospital, have also been affected.

Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO) Managing Director Thomas Odongo attributed the shortage to large tidal waves in Lake Victoria due to adverse weather conditions being experienced in the area. Meanwhile, Odongo has advised residents to store enough water and use it sparingly due to the impact on water abstraction from the lake at the main intake.

“In light of these circumstances, we strongly advise customers residing in the above areas to store enough water and use it sparingly during this period of uncertainty,” he said. Hence, a technical team from KIWASCO, he said, was on standby and will work round the clock to ensure steady supply.

Furthermore, the heavy rains being experienced in the areas have seen a rise in water levels in the lake, with some areas experiencing a backflow from the water body. This, coupled with the tidal waves, has seen over 5,000 people displaced in Kadibo Sub-County.

Meanwhile, the government has directed all people doing business along the shores of the lake and those residing within the riparian areas to move to safer grounds to avert loss of lives.

Kisumu County Commissioner (CC) Benson Laparmorijo said so far, 40,000 people have been displaced by floods in Kisumu.

The County Commissioner said the government has mobilised food and non-food items to support the victims, who are currently in evacuation camps.

By Chris Mahandara