Residents of Kaptembwo using the Ndarugo river for their daily water uses now claim that they are developing serious wounds in their hands and feet. The residents claim that they have had fungal infections for the last two weeks between their toes. “We have resorted to using the water from the river for washing and cooking but we cannot go on as we had serious wounds probably because of the dirt gotten from the river,” said Joyce Chebii She cited that the wounds could be as an effect of chemicals that are dumped into the river from industries which are located upstream. “We have companies dealing with cooking oil, paint and flowers which dump their waste along the river. We suspect that coming into contact with this water is what is causing the wounds,” she added Jane Cherotich cited that they are now forced to go to hospital to seek treatment. “One cannot work and any contact with water is extremely painful. “ she cited The residents claimed that they cannot afford they could not afford to buy water “It cost Ksh 20 to buy water and yet many of us are casual laborers. One has to choose between buying a packet of unga and paying for water. We opt for the already available water,” said Ann Muthoni The area has been experiencing an acute water shortage since November last year.

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