Coast

Tana River residents risk waterborne diseases as works on treatment plant stalls

Vendors fetching water to sell to the residents in Bura, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Sunday, April 14, 2024

The water they use is untreated and collected from an area that has repeatedly triggered cholera outbreaks.

Residents of Bura, Tana River County, are coping with water shortages by resorting to drinking from the gutter.

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This comes as the fate of two water storage facilities and treatment plants in Bura town, funded by the World Bank over 20 years ago, remains uncertain.

The project aimed to resolve the water crisis in the entire Bura Constituency.

However, upon entering Bura Town, the scene is stark, with residents resorting to drinking from gutters.

The water they use is untreated and collected from an area that has repeatedly triggered cholera outbreaks.

Upstream, there's a gathering of water where children play and adults do laundry, while downstream, carts gather, owners filling containers to sell water to food vendors.

Vendors fetching water to sell to the residents in Bura, Tana River County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Mwanajuma Omar, a mother of two, reveals the ongoing challenge of budgeting over Sh2,000 each month for purchasing water and reagents for treatment.

Water-related illnesses

“Every day is a tough balancing act for me, juggling between providing for my child's basic needs and safeguarding her health from waterborne illnesses."

She mentions that occasionally when she lacks the funds for water treatment chemicals, she prepares to cover the child's medical expenses.

Mwanajuma says that despite having extensive infrastructure, those responsible show no interest in addressing their issues, which have persisted for over 20 years.

Juma Kavindi provides water to over 20 residences and food stalls daily via a cart.

A photo of the Bura Tana Water Treatment plant. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Each trip delivers 400 litres of water, with Kavindi emphasising that hygiene is not within their scope of service.

"We are their only hope for water. Look around. See any water kiosks or taps? Nothing. Just these carts," he laments.

The Bura water supply system, one of Africa's largest projects, was created to provide water for over 300,000 individuals.

Although it was intended to serve Bura and Galole Constituencies seamlessly, it has not fulfilled its potential, leaving both areas struggling with water scarcity.