An acute water shortage has hit Homa Bay town after the Kenya Power disconnected electricity over Sh7 million bill. The shortage, now in its second week, has forced residents and other users to resort to untreated water for domestic purpose.

Water vendors have cashed in on the shortage and have been selling water at exorbitant prices to desperate consumers. The vendors, who transport the water on bicycles, have increased the prices by more than300 per cent.

A a 20-litre jerrican is being sold for Sh20 up from Sh5 before the shortage started last week. The use of raw water from boreholes has heightened fear of outbreak of waterborne disease in the lakeside town.

Most of the residents have now resorted to the use of the contaminated lake water despite knowing its dangers. Maurice Omollo, who operates an hotel in the town, said he has been using water from the lake since the shortage commenced began "I have no otherwise but to use the lake water for cooking and drinking ," he said