Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The Mombasa county government has been challenged to improve its supply of clean water so as to curb the spread of cholera in the county.Safiya Dima, a women leader in Changamwe, accused the county government of failing in ensuring residents access clean water.Dima argued that lack of access to clean water was one of the reasons why the county is usually at risk of a cholera outbreak whenever it rains.Dima said the county should carry out an inspection on water kiosks and water connections in residential areas so as to curb the spread of the disease.Speaking in Changamwe on Friday, Dima said the majority of water pipes in the county are interconnected with sewerage systems, causing residents to drink contaminated water.She said the county should not be reminded of their duty to supply residents with clean water but instead work on improving sanitation.“We understand that the county is overwhelmed by the increasing population but water supply should be improved to ensure residents access clean water,” said Dima. She asked Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho together with the county Environment, Water and Infrastructure departments to conduct a fresh inspection within the county so as to disconnect water pipes located near sewerage systems.“We should work together with the county government to ensure that there is improved water supply to residents in the county,” she added.Dima, however, appealed to residents to practice high levels of hygiene so as to prevent such disease outbreaks.Dima also appealed to the county government to enhance garbage collection within the county, arguing that the heaps of garbage were posing a great health hazard.Two people died of cholera last week at the Coast General Hospital.The hospital has reported handling over 25 cases of cholera.