Lake Zone residents in Turkana North have been forced to use dirty water from Lake Turkana to wash their hands due to a shortage of clean water.
Washing with soap and clean water is necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Residents of remote Todonyang, Lowarengak, Kataboi, Nachukui, Lomekwi and Katiko, including pastoralists, have deplored the shortage of clean water, forcing them to drink and wash with dirty lake water.
They said they are adhering to government directives to wash their hands regularly but it's futile with dirty water.
Katabol resident Jacinta Akiru said for many years, the water problem has not been addressed, despite government funds for water.
She said they normally buy a 20-litre jerrican of water but most residents cannot afford to keep buying water to stave off the virus.
“Water shortage is a perennial issue in this region and most people depend on relief food for survival," she said. "They may not be able to raise money to buy water to wash their hands."
She urged the county to supply clean water by trucking it to them. Residents also need soap, face masks, sanitiser and relief food or cash transfers, Akiru said.
John Logilae, a resident of Lowarengak, said they depend on fishing and relief food but due to the coronavirus crisis all fishing has been suspended, so they have no money to buy water.
Logilae too urged the county to provide plenty of clean water.
Ikal Angelei, the director of Friends of Lake Turkana (FolT), urged the government to sensitise the public on handwashing, social distancing, avoiding gatherings and staying home for safety.
Angelei said people in remote regions haven't been properly sensitised and are still attending large gatherings like weddings and dances.
“We have donated water tanks, face masks, soap and sanitiser to the community to protect themselves, he said.
"But last weekend in Namorutoot village everyone attended a traditional wedding and there was a big crowd."
(Edited by V. Graham)
