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Water company shuts down supply in Garissa over floods

Women protest in Garissa town following an acute water shortage in the past. (Photo: Abdimalik Hajir)

By Abdimalik Hajir | 08 May 2024

The company's managing director, Mohamed Dolal, said this is a cautionary measure to prevent electrocution as the main transformer is submerged.

The Garissa Water and Sewerage Company (GAWASCO) has shut down the supply to the Garissa township and its environs following flooding at intake points.

The company's managing director, Mohamed Dolal, said this was a cautionary measure to prevent electrocution, on the advice of Kenya Power, as the main transformer is submerged in water.

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"The water has increased to a level where all our pumps have been submerged," Dolal told the press on Wednesday at the Garissa main intake plant after assessing the damage caused by the floods. He was accompanied by Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo.

"So we were forced to shut down the system, which means that currently, all the lines that were giving water to residents of Garissa remain inactive. We advise all our customers to use the available water sparingly until normalcy resumes."

The Iftin, AFTC, Ziwani, and ADC boreholes, as well as the main intake plant, have been affected.

As of Wednesday, the river level had risen to an all-time high of 6.5 metres and was expected to exceed this due to the ongoing rains upstream.

The county commissioner called on residents to heed the advice and explore alternative means of getting water until the supply is restored.

Mwabudzo said that the government would ensure nobody died as a result of the floods.

On the issue of passengers using boats to and from Garissa, Mwabudzo called on the police and operators to ensure guidelines are strictly followed to prevent accidents.

"I repeat for the umpteenth time that those carrying passengers should exercise caution and carry only a few people at a time, as agreed. The police are there to make sure this happens," he said.

Mwabudzo added that the national and county governments, with the help of non-governmental organisations, would continue helping victims by supplying both food and non-food items.

Officials from the Kenya Red Cross Society have been registering displaced persons scattered in camps within Garissa Township.

According to the Garissa County Government, there are approximately 28,572 people from 4762 households in 11 camps in Garissa Township, while one is in Mansabubu in the Bura East Sub-county