Water shortage in Kyuso

By Carlos Mutua

Kyuso district being a sandy and rocky place has been experiencing low rainfalls. The main water catchment areas are rocky hills found in the area. Kimangao, Kyuso and Gai sub locations boasts of such catchments both government and non-governmental organisations have made different interventions to lessen the

Water catchment in a rock (Photo:Carlos Mutua)

suffering of the locals. Earth dam have been constructed in the rocky hills of Kyuso and Gai .Of late, these dams have not been able to meet the high water demand to the ever-increasing population as some were constructed during colonial perods and cannot hold enough water to meet the demand.

 The boreholes drilled by government and NGOs have been forced from time to time to shut down  either due to lack of fuel for generator or pump break down. Unfortunately, water from the boreholes is salty hence unfavourable for domestic use. There has been an increasing spread of water borne diseases the water from both the rock and earth dams is not treated.

 Kyuso residents use water from the dam for small-scale farming. This is common in areas like Kimangao, Ngaaie and Kyuso. A common sight of people trekking long distances search for water greets every newcomer to the area. The months of September and October usually see farmers lose their domestic animals due to severe drought. 

The district has piped water from Kiambere dam, which is inadequate, and only distributed to few market places like Kyuso and Kamuw’ongo. This has not eased the situation either. Water is piped into erected tanks and can only be accessed by those who are within. Far places like Marisi and Kakoongo have learned to live without this special but scarce commodity. It is common knowledge that water vendors in the rake thousands of shillings a day by distributing it.

More efforts are being made by government and NGOs to increase water supply in Kyuso district. Enlargement of older boreholes like one in Ikukumwa and purchase of water tanks to store water for schools and hospital is a move in a positive direction.