A severe water crisis is pushing Murang’a residents to the brink, as taps run dry in homes, schools and hospitals amid a bitter standoff between Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (MUSWASCO) and local communities.
The situation has left thousands struggling to access clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation, turning daily life into a desperate search for the most basic necessities.
In Kigumo sub-county’s Kinyona area, where MUSWASCO sources its water, tensions have escalated over increased tariffs, leading to public outrage.
Frustrated residents recently vandalized water infrastructure, further deepening the crisis.
The ripple effects have been devastating, with entire neighbourhoods in Murang’a South, including Kigumo, Kandara and Maragua left without water.
Parents are now forced to send their children to school with bottles of water, while hospitals struggle to maintain hygiene standards, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
“We cannot live like this,” lamented Julius Mwaura, a distressed resident. “We fetch water from contaminated streams and our children are suffering from stomach illnesses. How can a county that supplies Nairobi and other counties with water fail its own people?”
Sanitation in public institutions has deteriorated rapidly, with schools and hospitals bearing the brunt of the shortage.
Toilets remain unflushed and patients in health facilities are forced to buy water or rely on relatives to bring them some. “We are staring at a health disaster,” warned Kamau Waithera, a local leader.
The Murang’a County administration, led by Governor Irungu Kang’ata, has attempted to mediate the crisis, requesting the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) to lower water tariffs from Ksh 107 to Ksh 88 per cubic meter.
Additionally, Kang’ata has written to the Principal Secretary for Water, seeking the urgent transfer of MUSWASCO shares to the county government to streamline management.
MUSWASCO remains the only water company in Murang’a still under national government control, fueling suspicions that the ongoing wrangles are politically motivated.
Some residents, including Andrew Thuo, claim that certain politicians are using the dispute to gain control over the firm’s revenue streams. “Water is life, not a political tool. Let leaders stop playing games with our survival,” he urged.
Residents are now calling on the county and national governments to put an end to the stalemate and prioritize their right to clean water.
Many have also urged WASREB to hold public participation meetings before making any decisions on tariff adjustments.
“We don’t care about the political wars,” said Mwaura. “We just want an all-time flow of clean water in our taps. We are tired of suffering in a county that should never lack water.”
As the crisis worsens, Murang’a residents continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that, if left unresolved, could have far-reaching consequences on public health, education, and overall livelihoods.
