Athi River Residents Grapple with Severe Water Shortage Amid Growing Demand

Athi River residents are facing severe water shortage that has left taps dry for weeks, forcing families and businesses to rely on street water vendors.

The shortage, which has hit both estates and informal settlements, is straining household budgets and threatening livelihoods.

In Kinanie estate, Jane Mwikali, a mother of three, says water has become one of the most expensive basic need in her house.

“We pay rent, we pay for electricity and now every drop of water must be bought. A 20-liter jerrican is going for Ksh 50 on some days. How do you survive like that?” she asks.

The crisis is not limited to households. Small businesses are also feeling the pinch. At the Athi River market, Kibanda owner Peter Otieno says he has had to cut back operations.

“Without water, we cannot prepare food, no cleaning, nothing. Customers leave because we cannot serve them properly,” he lamented.

Water vendors, meanwhile, are cashing in. Some residents complain that dishonest traders hike prices whenever water supply is low. Others worry about the quality of the water being sold, saying they cannot be sure it is safe for drinking.

Rapid urban growth has worsened the situation. Athi River, one of the fastest-growing towns in Machakos County, has seen a surge in new housing projects and industries, but water infrastructure has lagged. Community leaders say the shortage is a direct result of poor planning.

Machakos Water and Sewerage Company officials admit demand is outstripping supply, citing falling levels at dams and overstretched pipelines.

They say plans are underway to upgrade distribution networks and increase supply, but residents want timelines and action, not promises.

Health experts warn the crisis could trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases as desperate residents turn to unsafe sources.

Already, some families are fetching water from boreholes and shallow wells whose safety cannot be guaranteed.

Local leaders are calling on both county and national governments to step in.

“Water is not a luxury; it is a right. Authorities must move with speed to find both short-term relief and long-term solutions for Athi River,” said community activist Mary Kamene.

For now, frustration is mounting. With dry taps, rising costs, and uncertain relief, Athi River residents continue to bear the burden of a crisis that shows no signs of easing.