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Kenyan Capital's Water Shortage Raises COVID-19 Risk

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - Some parts of Kenya's capitalhave been without running water
   for weeks, after a landslide destroyed a water pipe, making frequent
   hand washing for coronavirus prevention a challenge.Water distribution
   points have been set up to help tens of thousands of Kenyans cope.

   For more than two months, MaureenMkalahas taken a narrow alley
   inMathareslum in Nairobi to get water for her family, including three
   children.

   She ends up at a crowded water point and it takes her an hour to get 20
   liters of water.

   "Ilookfor water to clean my hands so that I don't get the virus.We have
   a water problemandyou are forced to go to the crowded water points to
   get water," she said.

   A landslidein Aprildestroyed amajorwater pipein central Kenya, cutting
   off running water to entire Nairobi neighborhoods.

   The need for water has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, asmore
   people are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to limit the spread
   of the virus.

   RodaAngayasaid sheisforced to ignore health guidelinesin orderto get
   water.

   There are many peopleatthe water point, and theyare told to keep
   one-meter distance to limit the spread of coronavirus, Angaya said,
   questioning how that is possible when everyone is fighting to get the
   little water that is available.

   In central Kenya, engineersare fixingthe water line to restore running
   water supplies, which fell by as much as 20%.

   The Nairobi City Water andSewerageCompany saidthey have reduced the
   water loss toabout 10%and thenewline being installed will resolve the
   shortage.

   "Therewon't be landslides where we are taking the line through," said
   Nashashon Muguna, Managing Director at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage
   Company."The line realignment is about 3.4 kilometers. We expect by
   mid-June we will be through with it.Already, road work has been done on
   8 kilometers. So, all the materials can be able to access the site
   easily."

   For the people ofMathare, and tens of thousands of others forced to
   collect water during the pandemic, the work cannot be finished soon
   enough.

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