Many of those who attended the official launch of Maendeleo Chap Chap party roared with laughter when Machakos governor Alfred Mutua kicked a jerrican to signify the end of water shortage in Machakos county should he be elected governor again come 2017.
But for the residents of Machakos, and indeed the whole of Ukambani, who have come face to face with the reality of water shortage, that was not a laughing matter.
They know what it takes to queue for six or more hours just to get a single 20-litre jerrican of water. They know how expensive water is and the long distances they have to trek to quench their thirsts.
While voters are crying foul, leaders of Machakos have mastered the art of using water shortage to their advantage. It is the first in the list of their manifestos.
When they get to power, they delay to fix the problem so that they can use it again as a campaign tool in the next elections.
"If you elect me, I will bring piped water in each and every household," is now an anthem in Machakos politics.