Machakos County minister of water Eng. Francis Maliti has been urged by Kangundo residents to intervene and address the water shortage problem in the area.
Matungulu Kangundo Water and Sanitation Company (MAKAWASCO) has been blamed by the residents for failing to supply water for over three weeks, which has led to water problems in the area, forcing the residents to purchase the commodity at very high prices.
Speaking on Thursday in Kangundo town, Joseph Muasya, a resident who runs a hotel business in the town lamented that the problem is causing more expenses and posing heath threats as they are not sure if the water is good for consumption
“The only source of water is being supplied using a tanker that is driven round town and sells a 20 liter container at Sh20, which is very expensive, and we cannot be sure of its cleanness,” said Muasya.
According to the residents, the Makawasco leadership has had problems that led to sacking of the director, David Nzuki three months ago, who has not been replaced yet.
Replying to the residents’ complaints in his office in Matungulu, the chairman of the water company Gerald Kioko trashed the allegations that his company’s leadership is failing.
On the contrary, he blamed the water problem on power blackout that is being witnessed in the area.
“There is no leadership wrangles in Makawasco, but the water pumping has been a problem due to the power blackouts. Our machines use electricity to pump water which has been interrupted by the power rationing programmes,” he added.
Maliti in his office on Thursday evening through a press address assured the residents he would visit the affected areas to inspect the problems and provide a solution.