Residents of Kibera have nothing to smile about since they have been forced to dig deep into their pockets to buy water.
This is because Kibera has been facing water shortage for the last 3 months. Water vendors are fetching huge profits from the big sale of water.
Edina Nyamisa, a vendor says that she has been selling water at sh20 from the previous cost of sh5. She says the hike is due to the increased demand of water from residents.
“The residents have no option even if water is sold at sh50 per 20 litre jerry can. There is a water shortage in the area, many people line-up early in the morning to fetch it. Getting one jerry can of water is hard since other water sources and taps have dried up. I am comfortable with the business this season,” said Ms. Nyamisa.
The residents said that they have to buy water despite the hike in prices since they cannot survive without water for domestic use.
Mary Muthoni, a resident said that she wakes up early in the morning to search for water.
“I walk a long distance in search of water since the water taps at my premises dried up 2 months ago. Since it is said that the early bird catches the warm, me waking up early makes me get water for use. At times where I fetch water from dries up from 10:00am and some who come that time do not get water until the next day”, said Muthoni.
The residents called upon the Nairobi Water Company to ensure that there is free supply of water to the slums as quick as possible and landlords should find ways to dig boreholes to provide water to them all the time.