The water crisis in Nairobi seems to be reaching a critical point.

Several residential areas in the city have not seen a drop of water for the last four months.

The crisis has prompted residents of Kayole Estate to hold a protest demonstration alleging corruption in water supply and management.

The locals want the council to destroy all illegal connections and arrest all those involved.

In Banana residents are threatening to disconnect the main pipes serving Nairobi unless the City council provides them too with the precious commodity.

Since last year, most parts of the country have continued to experience water shortage with the Ministry reassuring Kenyans that all will be well at least by December.

The crisis has been blamed on the raging drought but many are now reading more in the water shortages than natural calamities.

Nairobi residents claim the shortage is being caused by mismanagement and illegal connections and now want equitable distribution of water for all Nairobians.

Last week, the board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company was sent packing amid allegations that it was giving the residents a raw deal.

There have been warnings of an outbreak of water-borne diseases due to the acute water shortage with some residents resorting to using water from contaminated rivers and boreholes.

Water vendors have been doing roaring business selling a 20 litre jerrican of water at between 50 and 100 shillings.

The crisis is compounded by the continuing drought that is ravaging the country.

In Banana on the outskirts of Nairobi locals are threatening to cut water supply to Nairobi claiming that though they religiously pay their water bills their water supply has been disconnected in what they term an illegal move.

The water ministry is however optimistic promising Kenyans of improved situation by December.

water bowsers

Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu is set to flag off new water bowsers procured by the Ministry under the Emergency Drought Recovery Programme on Monday at the newly constructed Kahawa West Borehole in Nairobi.

The minister is also expected to inspect a new borehole at Kayole, estate and issue a statement on the water situation in the country and the dwindling water levels in major water supply dams in the country. 

Ngilu on Saturday warned that the water shortage will persist in the semi-arid Kitui district due to the receding water levels at Masinga Dam that supplies the residents with the commodity.

Ngilu said the dam was on the verge of drying up due to prolonged drought and urged consumers in the area to brace for hard times ahead.

Speaking at Mutendea Day Secondary School in Kitui, the ministry had purchased water tanks that were located at strategic areas for vending of the commodity at a nominal fee.

"Ferrying the water using bowsers to schools, towns and other institutions is not the solution but it is an emergency measure to guarantee availability of water," said Ngilu.

Meanwhile residents of Malindi at the Coast residents have expressed concern over the acute water shortage in Malindi town and its environs that has persisted for the last four weeks.

The residents said they feared an outbreak of water borne diseases following the shortage.

A survey conducted by the Kenya News Agency revealed that many residents have resorted to drawing saline water from boreholes for domestic use.

In the few water points where water is flowing at extremely low pressure, long lines of jerry cans were the order of the day, with some people trekking for more than five kilometers to get the commodity.

Janet Kitsao, a resident of Majengo Mapya, said the cholera outbreak reported late last month in the district could recur if something was not done immediately.

"We have been forced to use untreated water in our houses and this could expose us to the danger of contracting water borne diseases," she said.