Over ten days without water, Sankuri residents in Garissa County are suffering

A mother with her child trying to find the basic commodity (Courtesy)

By: Abdirahman Khalif

Garissa—Residences in Sankuri, Balambala constituency in Garissa County have been lacking water for the last ten days.

This comes amid drastic water reduction in river Tana,  which is the only source of this basic commodity for most of the communities here.

Mothers and children are forced to trek and camp around the river to get this scarce resource,  bearing in mind the risks involved like crocodile attacks and water borne diseases since the water is not fit for human consumption.

“We have been suffering for long, our children are forced not to go to school because they have to help us get water,” Fatuma, a mother of five told Kulan Post.

Water is a devolved function; the County government is mandated to provide clean water to every house hold within the county.

During the campaign period, Ali Bunow Korane, the current Garissa County governor, promised to solve the water crisis that has been a thorn in the flesh for most of Garissa county residents.

“We are appealing to the County government under our governor, Ali Bunow to come to our rescue and hasten his promise of providing water for all,” Fatuma added.

The area Member of County Assembly, Farah Maow, said the relevant authorities are on their way to mend the menace.

“Yeah there is water problem in Sankuri, the relevant authorities have gone to assess the situation and we are waiting for their response today,” Farah told Kulan Post on phone.

However Balambala constituency youth chairman, Mr. Osman Ahmed Maalim, believes the authorities will take long to establish a solution to this problem and the residence cannot wait.

“The authorities will take four to five months to come up with solution, will the residents continue suffering during this period? I think they should come up with a quick better solution,” Osman noted.

Most parts of North Eastern Kenya has been hit by drought and need urgent assistance.