This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
Published on December 25, 2019, a spot check revealed that water vendors in Mombasa were experiencing a surge in business.
Residents of Mombasa will have to endure a waterless Christmas after the only pipeline supplying the area broke down.
The Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company attributed the acute shortage to vandalism of the Baricho pipeline at the Nyali bridge on Monday.
Managing Director Anthony Njaramba stated that repair work had commenced, and normal supply might be restored by the next day.
However, Njaramba noted that they were facing challenges in obtaining the necessary valves and stoppers from suppliers due to the holiday period.
As a result, the company was forced to divert water supply to the north coast instead of allowing it to flow into the island to minimize losses.
"At the moment, repair work is ongoing to correct the anomaly before water supply to the island resumes. We expect normal supplies by Thursday or Friday," Njaramba said.
Water vendors have taken advantage of the shortage, hiking the price per jerrican from Sh20 to Sh50.
The most affected areas are Tudor, Makande, Majengo, and Ganjoni in Mvita constituency.
