The crisis has left households struggling to access clean drinking water and water for their livestock. With no piped water supply, many residents are now forced to rely on water drawn from River Thiba, often at a cost.
“We don’t have piped water and are forced to pay Ksh. 20 per jerrican to get water from River Thiba,” said Fridah Muthoni, a resident of Kiumbu. “Our children are suffering, and we are worried about the risk of waterborne diseases.”
The water shortage has also taken a toll on local farmers. Tomato and French beans farmers, including Elizabeth Wanjiru, Peter Karani, and Fridah Muthoni, say their crops are withering due to lack of water. They are now appealing to those upstream to release more water downstream.
“Our crops are drying up, and we are suffering because of the short rains,” said Peter Karani. “French beans, in particular, are failing.”
Residents have also raised concerns over the safety of the water they are consuming. Some rely on water vendors using donkey carts to ferry water from River Thiba, which they fear may be contaminated.
“We are worried about the severe water shortage and the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” Karani added.
Officials from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme have acknowledged the challenge, noting that water resources in the area are under strain. According to Dennis Okinyi, the Mwea Irrigation Authority Manager, efforts are ongoing to balance water allocation between domestic use and farming needs.
“Mwea East Sub-County is currently experiencing a water shortage, while Mwea West benefits from the Thiba Dam, which mainly supports rice farming,” Okinyi said.
