Nairobi — Fear and shortage of essential goods have gripped Kisumu and its environs after five days of lawlessness.

Medical workers have warned of an epidemic due to a water crisis. Residents are worried about their next meal as no food supplies reach the town. Fuel shortage is also worsening.

Dr Otieno Obondi of the Nyanza General Provincial Hospital said: "Kisumu needs water and food urgently before an epidemic strikes."

Petroleum dealers said the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) had cut off supplies. Mr Charles Odunga said: "There is no word from KPC. It is difficult, clients are suffering and prices shooting up very fast."

A cash shortage also gripped the town as ATMs ran out of cash after a long holiday and electoral violence.

Mrs Polyne Awuor, a resident of PolyView Estate, said she and her three children had not eaten for three days.

"I desperately need water and food, but there is nowhere to buy. Yesterday (Tuesday), I tried to go to Kibuye market, but police dispersed people before I could reach there," she said.

Businesspeople estimate their losses at about Sh1 billion. Airlines have suspended flights to Kisumu and public transport has ground to a halt.

Meanwhile, business premises in Narok town were on Tuesday burnt as post-election violence entered the third day.

Also torched were residential houses in the town's outskirts, forcing more people to flee the troubled area.

Youths looted and burnt a supermarket, a boutique and a domestic appliances' shop.

Property worth more than Sh400 million was destroyed and several people injured. Police had hectic time controlling the riots.

The violence, which started on Sunday with the burning of the main marketing the town, has caused a food and fuel shortage.

Those displaced in Narok North and Narok South were fleeing, carrying whatever property they could and headed to churches and police stations.

Women, some with babies strapped on their backs, could be seen with loads on their heads.