At least 25,000 households are in dire need of water in Lamu county as the drought continues to worsen.
This is according to figures in a report by the County Steering Group on Food Security and the National Drought Management Authority.
At least Sh124 million is needed for urgent water trucking and other related interventions to various parts of the county.
The most affected areas include Shanga Rubu, Bahamisi, Mtangawanda, Lumshi, Tewe, Roka, Bobo, Manyatta, Kibokoni, Pandanguo, Kiangwe, Moa, Chalaluma, Basuba, Milimani, Magogoni, Bar’goni, and the surrounding areas.
Lamu island, Mokowe, Matondoni, and Shella beach town residents also have to put up with frequent water rationing.
Lamu Water and Sewerage Company MD Kimani Wainaina blamed the situation on reduced water supply from the Shella sand dunes, which are the region’s main fresh water reservoirs.
“The prolonged drought has resulted in reduced water levels in the main wells at the sand dunes. Some of these wells are totally dry,” Wainaina. said.
Residents in these areas are forced to use dirty water from open wells and rivers resulting in outbreaks of waterborne diseases, mostly diarrhoea, bilharzia and skin infection.
Over 200 children in Lamu’s terror-prone Boni forest have been affected following an outbreak of bilharzia and diarrhoea due to consumption of dirty and contaminated water.
The dirty water has also left many with discoloured and corroded teeth.
The affected children are from Kiangwe, Mangai, Milimani and Basuba villages, which are all situated inside the dense Boni forest.
Residents are urging the county government to consider them in the plan to supply water to drought-stricken villages using water bowsers until the drought ends.
There have reports of increased tension and aggression as locals physically fight over the few available salty water sources.
“We wake up at 2am to get a few containers. People fight and injure each other because of this. The county said they will bring water, but we haven’t seen a drop. We hope they help us,” Mohamed Gullow of Bargoni said.
Women in the areas have been forced to disregard the curfew as they have to stay up all night queuing for a can of water, while endangering their security.
“Going home to escape the curfew means no water. We stay put and we hope the security officers understand our situation,” Fatma Adnan of Boni forest said.
Affected residents have also been forced to share water sources with livestock and wildlife, thus increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
