Residents of a residential estate managed by a private property management company in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, have raised concerns over prolonged disruptions to their access to water, alleging that the shortage has persisted without adequate intervention or alternative arrangements being provided.
According to the residents at Hornville Residence, repeated attempts to seek assistance and resolution through official communication channels have yielded little progress, leaving many households struggling to access what they describe as an essential service.
The affected tenants argue that the lack of water has exposed them to significant health, hygiene, and psychological challenges, particularly given the indispensable role that water plays in daily life and public health.
They further contend that explanations related to operational or energy constraints do not absolve landlords and property managers of their responsibility to ensure continuous access to basic utilities and services.
The residents are now calling for greater public awareness and accountability, arguing that access to water is a fundamental human necessity whose denial undermines the dignity, wellbeing, and rights of those affected.
"Good afternoon, Cyprian. I'm a resident at Hornville Residence in Rongai. The property is managed by Alliance Realtors Limited. I want to bring this matter to your attention. We have tried to reach out to them via email for assistance to no avail, and they stand their ground that there is nothing they can do to resolve the issue or try to get an alternative solution.
Water Denial: A Violation of Human Dignity
Access to clean water is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right. The United Nations has affirmed that safe drinking water and sanitation are essential to the full enjoyment of life and all human rights. Yet, in our community, this right is being denied.
Our landlord has chosen to withhold water, citing the cold season as an excuse: solar panels are not generating enough power, and electricity is "not an option." This reasoning is not only inadequate, it is unjust. Water is a basic need for survival, and denying it strips tenants of their dignity, health, and security.
The implications are severe.
Health risks: Without water, hygiene suffers, increasing vulnerability to disease.
Psychological stress: Living without a basic necessity erodes morale and creates unnecessary hardship.
Human rights violation: Water scarcity caused by deliberate denial is not a technical issue — it is a moral failure.
Landlords and property managers have a responsibility to ensure tenants' access to essential services. Excuses about energy sources cannot justify depriving people of water. Alternative solutions — whether through electricity, backup systems, or other means — must be explored. To do otherwise is to disregard the humanity of those affected. Water is life. Denying it is denying dignity. No one should be forced to endure such deprivation."