Official dismisses claim that county water poisoned

Embu County commissioner Amos Gathecha yesterday moved fast to allay fears that the water in the area was poisoned.

A rumour had gone round that the water distributed by Embu Water and Sanitation Company (Ewasco) to thousands of residents was unsafe.

The claim is believed to have started at the Embu market and quickly spread to the villages.

Mr Gathecha held a crisis meeting with the county executive for Water, Mr Joseph Kithumbu, and Ewasco officials where they told residents not to be alarmed.

Ewasco managing director Hamilton Karugendo said the water was tested every two hours at the treatment plant and twice a day outside the distribution area to ensure it was safe.

Coincidentally in Nyeri Town, a similar rumour was dispelled. Residents sighed with relief after claims that the water supply had been poisoned turned out to be false.

Chairman of the Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company board Joseph Guandaru issued the statement dismissing the rumours.

Mr Guandaru said immediate tests were done on water samples after receiving the rumours with the results revealing absence of any poisoning agent.

FIT FOR HUMANS

He assured residents that the water was fit for consumption amid claims that the source of the water had been compromised.

“The water is safe for human consumption. It is best if we do not rely on false information,” said the chairman.

Mr Guandaru also visited the main reservoir in Mathira to confirm absence of any intrusion.

safety with no form of intrusion into the source of the company’s water. He confirmed this after visiting the main reservoir in Mathira.

The chairman assured the citizens that the reservoirs were well guarded round the clock. The reservoirs he said had adequate security.

He termed the false information as rumours from idlers as result of information from Embu County where allegedly water had also been rumored poisoned.

He said that is was not the first time to handle such rumors giving a stiff warning to the originators of the messages.

“Those spreading this messages should stop immediately before they are identified,” he warned

According to the chairman the false messages aimed at causing tension and tarnishing the name of the company which he says prides in providing outstanding services to its customers.

The company has since sent messages of reassurance to its customers on the safety of its water.

“We write to assure you that our water is safe as always. Kindly ignore any rumor to the contrary,” read the message.