Drop of life.

By Carlos Mutua.

They say the water is life thus the high demand for this rare commodity in this dry region of Kitui county, this has led to many residents Of kyuso community queue for long hours waiting for that drop of life.

 The residents have to wake as early as 5 am to compete with Lorries in getting it. Though it’s cheap as 20l Jerri can cost only 2 ksh but many days the taps runs dry. People still push to get it as it’s preferably safer than the one fetched from rock catchment areas.

The situation is more devastating at this time of year as numerous dam have either dried up or the Water is too dirt for human consumption, hence relying on the few water point which is not adequate for the increasing population. Those living away from water point are forced to drill bore hole with help from either NGO or government on the river valley of which the water from it has limited use, for instant some place the water salinity is high thus cannot support growing of vegetation or a lot of detergent is required for washing.

The water distribution is managed by the community in partnership with TARDA (Tana and Athi River Development Authority).The residents of Kyuso benefit once or twice a week. Its alleged that the water seller have taken the advantage of the situation and raised the price per Jerri can from 10ksh to 20ksh hence forcing some resident to opt using salt water from borehole which isn’t good for washing and cooking. 

Another requisition of the community would wish the TARDA is to connect them with door to door  piping  at cheap price and monthly payment should be affordable;  this will enable them to grow vegetable and save them time in trekking to water point of which they would have to compete with others. The resident hope that one day a Good Samaritan will come and help them.