From river of life to river of death

Pollution of a major river in the great South Nyanza has been blamed for recent cholera deaths in Migori County. River Riana, shared by three counties - Kisii, Migori and Homa Bay - was identified as the source of the killer waters.

But how did this formerly clean-water river become a source of deadly dirty water? Samuel Owiti, 73, remembers how River Riana was clean in the early 90s before increased human activity started polluting it.

“This river was our only source of livelihood. Though we shared it with our neighbours, it was clean. That has since changed. Instead of giving life, it is now bringing us death through waterborne diseases,” said Owiti.

A few metres from his home, Nancy Akinyi has for several years fought off the threat of cholera and other waterborne diseases.

“My four children got sick after consuming contaminated water from this river. I am lucky because some of my friends have died of cholera. The problem is the water,” she said.

Last year, cholera killed more than 10 people in Migori County. With most households not having access to piped water, hundreds of residents have been suffering from several complications. Neighbouring Homa Bay County was also affected by cholera.

A man dresses up by the banks of River Migori after taking an open bath at Ombo in Migori town in a picture taken on October 25,2015. The level of pollution of the water is the main source of waterborne diseases like cholera which is rampant in the county as thousands of people who cannot access clean water depend on this river for domestic use. (PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG/ STANDARD)

According to Migori County health services coordinator, Tom Ondeng’, pollution of the river, which begins in Suneka in the neighbouring Kisii County, is to blame for the deaths.

“Stakeholders have identified the river as the source of the problem. Although we called for an inter-counties surveillance, there was little cooperation,” he said.

The sewerage treatment point in Suneka, on the Kisii-Migori border, was blamed for the first cholera outbreak. Several environmentalists have pointed out this as the first trail of dirty water, which in turn gets into the water cans of thousands of users downstream.

“It is possible that the sewer treatment is not adequate. When this is the case, dangerous particles still remain and spill into the river, thus exposing families that get water from the river,” said Paul Omole, a Migori-based environmental activist.

He calls for surveillance at the sewer treatment point.

A part from the sewer poison, human activity on the river bank is also a threat. For instance, it is common to see designated points on the river shore for washing utensils, cleaning, general washing and bathing. Normally, the bathing areas are marked and organised according to gender.

This is a grave danger to families downstream. This builds the chain of waterborne ailments for thousands of Migori residents.

Rongo sub-county public health officer Stanley Aranda believes the only way to manage cholera is to ensure the river water is clean.

“The solution is in ensuring the water is clean. In areas where we had chlorine dispensers, residents did not report any complications. The starting point is ensuring River Riana is clean from the source and downstream,” he said.