Migori town and its outskirts have been hit by acute water shortage for the almost one month due to an accrued electricity bill amounting to Sh4.5 million.
The residents of Nyasare estate told the media that the crisis has been long overdue adding that the county was making minimal efforts to sort out the issue.
Joel Magadi, a resident of Oruba estate said that he is forced to wake up as early as 5:00am to look for clean safe water for use.
He said that the residents are forced to spend many hours looking for water and the little they get is still not safe.
Magadi regretted that some hotel owners and residents are forced to fetch water from the already contaminated river Migori.
“We are forced to make long queues from as early as 5:00 a.m on the few boreholes and springs in town so as get the little water. However some rely on river Migori water that is not safe for human consumption,” he said.
Tom Omino, the chairman of Migori Small Traders Association said that the traders are the most affected by the precious commodity as they use it to clean their goods in the markets for their customers.
The chairman said that the County Government of Migori should pay the pending and accumulated bills that have made the residents suffer from the shortage of water for a long time.
Migori County Chief Officer for water and energy Donald Jaleny said that the county was planning on how to settle the bill.
“Water pumping machines at Oyani water treatment plant that supplies water to Migori town rely on electricity which the county government is yet to pay,” he said.