By Tobias Ogutu
Ironically, the residents of the Dunga area in Kisumu County are struggling to access clean water, despite being located near Lake Victoria. This issue persists because the county government has neglected its needs, possibly due to its social status. Water is drawn from the lake and pumped to other neighborhoods, yet many parts of Dunga still lack clean tap water. Even those fortunate enough to have tap water installed complain about the high water bills.
Kisumu Water and Sewage Company (KIWASCO), responsible for supplying water to consumers in Kisumu, has a department known as the “Pro-Poor” that addresses the needs of consumers from low-income areas. However, this department appears to be neglecting its responsibilities, as the residents of Dunga, who are low-income earners, still lack access to clean water despite their proximity to the lake and the treatment plant.
The Pro-Poor Department at KIWASCO has failed to address the concerns of Dunga residents for several years. Despite bringing their grievances to the county government, the residents have yet to receive any assistance.
To address the challenges they are facing, the residents of Dunga have resorted to drilling boreholes to meet their water needs. In an open forum organized by United Destiny Shapers, a local community-based organization, Mr. Alek proposed that the county government should take the issue seriously and install taps for the community. He added that since they are the caretakers of the lake and its surroundings, they should not be denied access to clean water.
The majority of residents in Dunga, who lack access to clean water, want the county government to intervene so that KIWASCO can charge them fairly. These residents believe that, as a community located near the lake, they should benefit directly from it, unlike those living several miles away. Mary Agatha said, “Wan e jo-nam to wan ema riyo ingowa moloyo jii duto Kisumu,” which means, “We are the people of the lake, but it is we who feel thirstier than other people in Kisumu.”
Indeed, the voices of Dunga residents need to be heard, as they play a crucial role in conserving the lake, more so than other communities in Kisumu. They should not be deprived of access to clean water. The county government should intervene to ensure that no household within the Dunga area lacks tap water.
