Shortage of water paralyses businesses in Kapsabet

A drying river in Kitui. June 10, 2024. [File Courtesy, Standard]

Kapsabet town has been hit by a shortage of clean water, raising fears of a disease outbreak.

For the past three days, traders have threatened to close down their businesses, including eateries and restaurants within the CBD and its environs, if the situation persists.

Some of the hotels have resorted to locking up toilets and washroom facilities in their business premises to manage the unhygienic conditions.

Julia Maiyo, a manager in one of the restaurants, claimed that the prolonged shortage of water has hurt their business.

“We have insufficient water in our premises, and customers complained of an uncomfortable smell emanating from the washrooms. The situation is wanting in those essential rooms, and we had to prevent our customers from accessing them meanwhile as we wait for water to be restored,” she narrated.

Among the affected estates are Kamoba, East View, Namgoi, Showground, Sirungai, and Kokwet.

Dried taps turned out to be a blessing to water vendors supplying water in town and residential estates. The merchants are sourcing water from the nearby springs, which have raised health and safety concerns from the locals.

Nandi Water and Sanitation Company LTD, in a memo dated May 21, 2025, acknowledged the water crisis and affirmed that action is underway to rectify.

“We are currently experiencing a power blackout at our Kapsabet Treatment Works that is impacting the pumping of water. This outrage has disrupted the water supply,” reads the customer care memo.

Kapsabet Town manager, Alfayo Lel, confirmed that the disruption of the power supply paralyzed the operation of the water treatment plant at the source.

“The works are underway to fix the problem, and normalcy will be restored. There has been low electricity input, and Kenya Power is working to restore operation,” he stated.