Two water and sanitation companies in Kisumu are engaged in a tug of war over the management of sewer systems in two estates in the county.
Whereas Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (Kiwasco) blames Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWSB) for having done a shoddy job in putting up the sewer lines, the latter argues that the responsibility lies with Kiwasco.
There has been an overflow of waste in Carwash and Gudka estates for over a month now stretching to residential houses thus posing health to the residents, who claim nothing has been done despite numerous complaints lodged at both offices.
Kiwasco which uses infrastructure by LVSWSB to provide water and sanitation services says the board while renewing the old pipes, connected bigger pipes to existing smaller ones left some uncovered.
“Our assessment has revealed that debris brought in by floods blocked 20-foot sewer line resulting in the overflow,” Kiwasco PR officer Gregory Odero said.
He said their responsibility was to repair and maintain the infrastructure already in place, not those being laid by the board.
He said the board had “terminated a contract with a firm it employed to phase out the old pipes with little regard for effects the on-going works would have.”
LVSWSB whose mandate includes development and rehabilitation of water and sewerage infrastructure on the other hand rubbished the allegations of mismatched pipes stating that the new line was independent of the old one.
“The replacement we are doing does not touch on the old sewer line. It is the only way it can be done and the new system will not be in use until the process is complete,” said Mr Daniel Obumba, an official with the board.
He said Kiwasco should own up and stop shifting blames when it was clearly their mandate to maintain and repair the infrastructure.
The problem, he said, was worsened by pressure on the main sewer line from the increasing number of households.
“Those putting up houses do not consult when connecting sewer lines with main ones thus burdening the septic tanks resulting in overflowing waste,” he said.
He said the wider pipes being laid would alleviate such crisis which is as a result of time-worn infrastructure.
Residents of the two estates expressed health concerns saying the situation worsens when it rains.
“We have approached both firms on several occasions but nothing has been done. We cannot let our children play outside because of the health scare,” said Kennedy Nyambeya, a resident of Carwash estate.
Mr Odero of Kiwasco said they would send a team to unblock the line.