•Water kiosks remained closed with water containers placed in queues awaiting water supply.
•Residents who had harvested water are now selling 20 litres Sh40.
Despite heavy rains a few days ago in Mwingi, locals are still camping at nearby rivers in search of water.
In the past one week, locals have suffered acute water shortage after water kiosks ran dry.
The kiosks remained closed with empty containers placed in queues awaiting water supply.
Residents who had harvested water are now selling 20 litres Sh40.
“Normally, we fetch water from kiosks at Sh2 but we are now buying rain water at Sh40,” lamented Kasyoka Muthui, a resident.
Others have opted to move to Tyaa River, two kilometers from Mwingi town, to fetch water although it is too saline.
“Following increased prices of water, I opted borrowing a donkey to go fetch water from the river although it is too saline. I will then buy only one jerrycan of fresh water for drinking,” said Kathini, another resident
Masaku Patrick, a water vendor in Mwingi town who is also buying water from those who harvested rain water, decried low business as many people cannot afford to buy water at Sh40.
“Business has been low ever since water tanks ran dry. I am making very low sales as opposed to when kiosks have steady supply water,” said Masaku, who delivers water containers to his customers.