Mombasa:A civil society organization is calling for immediate action from both national and county government leaders to address a prolonged water crisis impacting the residents of Changamwe, Jomvu sub-counties, and broader Mombasa County. The group has warned it may resort to constitutional rights to protest if the issue remains unresolved.
According to Kenya News Agency, Salim Suleiman, the Executive Director of the Haki na Usawa Organisation, criticized public notices from the Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MOWASCO) that cited supply disruptions due to a leak in the Mzima pipeline at Tsavo West National Park. Suleiman argued that these notices are merely public relations exercises and pointed out that water shortages have persisted even before the announcements. He emphasized that many residents have been without clean and safe water for months, forcing them to rely on costly and unsafe water from vendors.
Suleiman highlighted the severe impact on women, children, and low-income families, labeling the situation as a “total failure” by MOWASCO. He invoked Article 43(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the right to clean and safe water, and outlined the organization’s demands for immediate governmental intervention, the disbandment or resignation of the Coast Water Board, and the resumption of water services. Should these demands go unmet, the organization plans to exercise its rights under Article 37 of the Constitution to picket and petition.
Mary Taura, a resident of Chaani, described how households are forced to buy water from vendors at Sh25 to Sh30 when available, and expressed the difficulty of relying on salty water in its absence. She appealed for assistance for the affected community.
George Ondara, representing Changamwe, noted that a previous forum with a water engineer had promised a swift resolution. However, he dismissed the MOWASCO notice as merely a public relations gesture. Ondara stated that water supply is inconsistent, with some areas like Kipevu receiving water while others go without. He called for a transparent supply schedule and raised concerns about potential corruption within MOWASCO, suggesting an investigation into preferential water access for unauthorized vendors.
Mzee Oksimba, representing Port Reitz Ward, directly appealed to the Mombasa Governor to address the crisis urgently, reminding him of the electoral significance of the affected residents. He highlighted ongoing concerns about water cartels and urged closer collaboration between national and county governments to ensure reliable water access, noting the continued failure to meet promises made to residents.
