Algal bloom leave Lave Victoria residents feeling thirsty

This is despite the fact that many live just a stone throw away from the Africa's largest lake, and the world's second-largest freshwater lake.

According to the residents, the waters of the lake have largely turned green; owing to what on the surface looks like significant algal infestation.

The algal bloom, as it is scientifically known, is clearly visible on the expansive waters of the lake at certain time of the day; mostly in the morning when the waters are relatively still.

Mama Monica Achieng who lives along the lake around Muhuru Bay told Wananchi Reporting that they have no safe drinking water.

“The water is green in colour and has this smell that never goes away. You cannot drink the water and like it,” she said.

According to Monica, residents living along the lake had in the past depended on water supplied to them by a non-governmental organization.

The organisation established water kiosks in various spots in the village from where residents would buy fresh drinking water – but the infrastructure was vandalised.

Moses Okeyo, also a resident, told Wananchi Reporting that they cannot even use water drawn directly from the lake to bathe.

“I get this itching effect whenever I draw the lake water and use it to bathe at home,” says Okeyo.

According to the residents, they have had to boil their water to curb cases of bilharzia, which are quite common, and other waterborne diseases.

Others, however, use dilute sodium hypochlorite solution, a chemical used as a point-of-use treatment for household drinking water.

The locals want the county government to establish water treatment plants in the area – as well as develop infrastructure with a plan to put in place piped water.