This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
Published on August 27, 2019, a severe water shortage has hit Lamu County in Kenya, affecting over 30,000 residents.
The crisis began last Thursday when Kenya Power disconnected electricity to Lamu's main pumping station due to an unpaid electricity bill of Sh3.6 million owed by the Lamu Water and Sewerage Company (Lawasco).
Residents of Lamu Old Town, Shella, Manda, Kashmir, Bombay, India, and Wiyoni have been forced to use untreated water from open wells, posing a significant health risk.
Hotels and industries in the area have been severely affected, with guests reportedly avoiding some hotels due to the lack of water.
Mr. Abdallah Saary of Nurulyaqeen General Merchants in Lamu expressed his frustration, stating that it was unfair for the entire archipelago to be punished due to Lawasco's failure to pay the electricity bill.
"It's very unfair for us to be punished due to failure by Lawasco to pay the electricity bills to KPLC. Why are they doing that? We've cleared all the (water) bills in our homes and we only expect services to be delivered. It's now the sixth day without water in our homes and business places. We need an urgent solution," said Mr. Saary.
Mr. Ali Abubakar, a hotelier in Lamu, also expressed concerns, stating that the situation had contributed to some tourists and other guests shying away from booking rooms in his hotel due to lack of water.
"Since last week, I've been losing guests in my hotel who opt to go to other hotels that have water. Most of the hotels here are now forced to use water from wells after their reserved water also got finished. We need a permanent solution to this problem," said Mr. Abubakar.
Lawasco Managing Director Paul Wainaina defended the company, stating that it had been very prompt in paying its bills most of the time and that the Sh1.17 million in question was disputed.
