Children drinking water at a water tap. Water shortage has hit Garissa town and its environs. (Photo/Nation)
Garissa town has once again been hit by an acute shortage of water, threatening the lives of locals who are now calling on the county and national government to intervene urgently.
Speaking on Sunday, residents said looking for water is taking up most of their days, hence interfering with most of their daily activities.
A resident, Habiba Ali Noor said women and children are struggling in search of the commodity with children often times going out at night.
"We have been forced to take more time during the day in search of water due to its scarcity in the town. As residents, we call on the county and national government to help solve the water crisis in the town," she said.
Noor said water vendors may take advantage to sell locals dirty water which may lead to water borne diseases.
She added that locals are sometimes using bottled water for cooking and other domestic purposes.
The county's water firm boss Aden Ahmed said the rapid growth of the town is making it difficult to maintain supply to locals.