Nairobi parched despite downpour

Many residents are reduced to buying water in cans

By the BBC's Muchiri Kioi Nairobi

While rain is causing death and destruction in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, residents are struggling to find drinking water.

From the city's wealthiest estates to its sprawling slums, people are being forced to buy water as they watch the pouring rain literally go down the drain.

Nairobi is drowning in non-drinking water

Residents are frustrated because last year, following water shortages caused by drought, Mayor Dick Waweru asked people to bear with the city council.

The situation, he said, would improve if there was some rain.

So there were sighs of relief when the heavens opened three weeks ago.

But in fact the season of thirst had just begun.

Clogged pipes

The council sounded the alarm this week, saying rains had affected the water supply system.

According to water engineer Lawrence Musyoka, the daily supply of 410 million litres per day was 40% down by last Friday.

The reason, he said, was that mud has got into pipes bringing water to the city from nearby reservoirs.

Mr Musyoka said two teams of engineers were working around the clock trying to unblock the pipelines.

Residents welcomed the reports of engineers getting their hands dirty and scooping mud. But for many this won't wash.

People are still wondering why only a trickle of water is reaching a city that is being battered by rain.