A severe water shortage has left thousands of Migori Town residents struggling to access clean water, forcing many households to depend on boreholes and the polluted River Migori as taps remain dry for the third consecutive week.

The prolonged disruption has affected homes and businesses across the town, with residents saying the lack of a reliable water supply has made daily life increasingly difficult.

Many have been travelling long distances in search of water, raising concerns over the health risks associated with using untreated sources.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Victor Otieno urged the county government to act swiftly and end the recurring crisis.

“We cannot continue living without water. The county government must provide a lasting solution because this problem keeps coming back and our lives have been greatly disrupted,” Otieno said.

Migori County Executive Committee Member for Water and Energy Silas Onyango acknowledged the crisis, attributing it to the breakdown of pumps at the county’s main water treatment plant.

He said replacement equipment is being installed and expressed confidence that normal water supply would resume within the next two weeks.

Onyango assured residents that the county government is working to restore services as quickly as possible, while admitting that the interruption has caused significant hardship for households and businesses that depend on piped water.

The latest shortage has once again highlighted Migori’s recurring water supply challenges, with residents renewing calls for long-term investment in water infrastructure rather than temporary fixes.

Until supply is fully restored, many families will continue relying on alternative sources whose safety remains a concern, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable solution to the town’s persistent water crisis.