Hundreds of residents in Kajiado Town and its environs are grappling with a severe water shortage after 19 boreholes were vandalised in the past two months.
The theft of borehole equipment such as water cylinders, solar panels, and electric cables have become rampant in this semi-arid region of Kajiado County.
The destruction has left communities without water at a time when the region is already battling the harsh impacts of climate change.
Dejected locals allege that a criminal gang is targeting both private and community-owned boreholes to steal scrap metal for resale.
Ms Phoebe Mollel, a resident of Kajiado Township, told Nation that her family’s borehole was recently vandalised leaving them struggling to access clean water.
“They even took the electricity cables. We are now forced to rely on water tankers, but the supply is insufficient,” said Ms Mollel.
A 5,000-litre supply of salty water now costs between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000, depending on the distance from the source. Fresh water is even more expensive, retailing at between Sh5,000 and Sh8,000 for the same quantity.
The widespread vandalism has also hit irrigation farming hard, forcing many small-scale farmers to suspend operations. With recurrent droughts linked to climate change making pastoralism increasingly unsustainable, many residents have turned to subsistence crop farming—now under threat.
“Most small-scale farmers who rely on borehole water have halted farming activities. This poses a serious threat to food security in this semi-arid county,” said Ms Rose Teum, another victim of the vandalism.
Agitated residents have blamed the unchecked illegal scrap metal trade flourishing within Kajiado Township. They are now calling on security agencies to act swiftly to end the criminal activities.
“We have reported all 19 cases of vandalism to Kajiado Police Station, but no arrests have been made so far. We want law enforcement to expedite investigations and bring the culprits to justice,” said Anthony Saruni.
Kajiado County is classified as an acutely water-scarce region, with limited access to water for both domestic and agricultural use. Residents of satellite towns such as Ngong, Kiserian, Ong'ata Rongai, and Kitengela also struggle with perennial water shortages.
