Kakamega residents express health fears after borehole pollution

On January 12, 2023, a diesel tanker overturned near Mayoni primary school along the Mumias-Bungoma road.

The incident has left residents of Ekana village in Matungu Constituency Kakamega County staring at a health hazard.

The accident which caused spillage of diesel all over the place has left heavy pollution of underground water across the whole village raising concerns from the villagers who are fearing for their health and that of their Children.

Suleiman Owour in whose compound there was a water borehole has since dismantled the pump in order to stop the villagers from consuming the contaminated water.

Owuor revealed that since the incident, life has never been the same saying residents have been exposed to hazards arising from water pollution caused by the diesel tanker accident spillage.

According to him, Petrol pollution has had a devastating effect on the water and the environment.

The diesel has spread over the surface penetrating into the soil and has affected water sources, crops and animals.

"Weeks later after the fuel tanker overturned, we started noticing changes in the water from several boreholes in this village. The water had been contaminated with diesel and had a petrol or diesel stench. We cannot use the water for drinking, cooking or bathing. The water is oily. This borehole in my compound served over 500 residents, the nearest rivers and other boreholes have also been contaminated with petrol," he noted.

He added:

"The only option left was to drill another well but we are not sure whether the water underground will still have the diesel.”  

The best option he said would be getting piped water which is 200 metres from his home but the installation cost was very high for him.

“I had a budget of Sh20,000 but those in charge of water managed by the county government of Kakamega want me to pay at least Sh70, 000 to create the main line.

"I cannot afford that since my main source of earning was tree seedlings but the trees dried up and died since I didn't have water to irrigate them," he noted.

Everline Chakango another villager said they have to trek over 5km to get clean and safe water from the neighbourhood.

“Our water is contaminated and smelt petrol. Children have developed diarrhoea, cholera and stomach problems. The water has affected my stomach and when I go to the hospital they say I might be eating contaminated food. I just pray that God protects us not to develop chronic illness," she noted.

Apollo Omutere another victim has called on both the national and county governments to intervene and save the situation.

“We are calling on the county government and ministry of health and environmental department to intervene and save us from this menace," he noted.

Mariziah Manyasa raised concerns over the state of health of other locals who are still exposed to the water.

"Despite our cry, no health officials have visited the scene to ascertain the problem. Our businesses have also been affected since we spend more hours in search of water.