Kisii town residents have complained of water shortage following a dry spell that has hit the region after long rains of December.
According to some of them, the main water tower of Nyakomisaro that serves most suburbs of the South Nyanza town has gone down hence causing the looming water crisis.
“The water tower has run dry hence the crisis. This is not unusual since we normally experience it in the months of January and February that are followed by heavy rains in March,” said Emmanual Okemwa, a resident.
He said previously, the water tower could serve all regions till the onset of rains and failed to understand the predicament despite the dry spell.
“Previously, Nyakomisaro would serve us without going dry and I'm astonished by the severe water shortage as early as this.”
However, he accused water vendors for raising prices deliberately, with the 20 litres going for Sh20 -- a double increase of the previous rates.
“I'm shocked that commercial water suppliers are hiking prices by taking advantage of the stalemate to fraud us. This is completely unacceptable and we call upon the county government to curb such uncouth practices,” he added.
The crisis may paralyse operations in the populated town, including thousands of students in different institutions that heavily rely on the water tower.
Kisii County executive member for environment and water, Masela Otuke, said the county government is installing other tanks in different water catchment areas.
“I understand what we are going through and we are seeking the remedy. We are in the process of putting water tanks in areas such as Keumbu near river Gucha to serve the purpose," she said.