Masalani residents in Garissa protesting over lack of water in the town. They asked the county government to intervene. Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Residents of Masalani sub-county in Garissa have protested against water shortage and asked the county government to intervene.
The residents urged the county government to solve the water crisis that has subjected the area residents to a lot of agonies.
Resident Mohamud Abdi said lack of water has forced them to seek alternative ways to get water as most of them fetch unclean water from River Tana about 10km from Masalani town.
The residents claimed that the county government has turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the people of Garissa town after going without the crucial commodity for weeks.
Abdi said their taps have remained dry for three weeks and they are forced to buy water from dealers who sell it at a high price.
“The taps have remained dry. We are having difficulties in running day-to-day affairs at home or at work,” Abdi said as quoted by the Star.
Women, children and elders are the most affected by the water crisis and many of the residents are forced to consume raw water from River Tana which poses health risks such as diarrhoea.
Garissa Governor Ali Korane had promised to restore water services in the town in his first 100 days in office.
In November last year, Water executive Issa Dubow had promised to end the perennial water shortage, harvest rainwater, build dams across the country and develop a strategic plan for resources in the arid, drought-stricken region.