About 10,000 residents of Hola Town and its outskirts have been experiencing severe water shortages for the past one week following electricity disconnection at Hola Water Supply station.
Managing Director Tana River Water and Sewerage Company (TAWASCO) Engineer William Jillo said Kenya Power Company disconnected electricity at the water works due to an outstanding electricity bill of Sh8 million that has accumulated for the past three months.
Speaking to KNA on telephone today, Eng Jillo said TAWASCO has no capacity to pay all that money and he has asked the Tana River County government to assist the water company offset the Sh8 million bill so that water supply could resume to area residents.
He said TAWASCO was established about three years back and its revenue collection was not enough to offset the huge amount of money to pay the electricity bill.
Speaking to KNA one of the residents of Hola Town Mr.Buya Maro, said the water shortage has forced the area residents to depend on River Tana where they fetch water for domestic use endangering their life because the river is infested with crocodiles.
Maro urged TAWASCO to use solar power instead of electricity from Kenya Power in order to avoid high electricity charges or else the water company will close down incase Tana River County government will not intervene to pay the bill saying, solar power is comparatively cheap because Tana River County experiences inadequate rainfall and more sunlight throughout the year.
By Simon Guruba
