Nakuru County – A much-anticipated water project launch in Nakuru turned awkward after the tap, meant to showcase the county’s efforts to address water shortages, failed to produce even a drop of water in front of residents.
Governor Susan Kihika had invited locals and the press to witness the official commissioning of the Umoja Water Project.
The event was supposed to mark a new chapter for families who have been walking long distances in search of clean water.
However, what was meant to be a celebration ended up as an embarrassing moment for the governor.
In a video that has since gone viral, Governor Kihika is seen speaking to a resident who narrated the daily struggle of fetching water from far-off places.
The woman expressed relief that the new project would bring much-needed change.
Moments later, Kihika walked over to the shiny tap, inviting the resident to join her in ceremonially opening it.
Cameras rolled, residents cheered, and expectations were high. But when the governor and the woman turned the tap, no water came out.
Her aides rushed forward to assist, fiddling with the tap in an attempt to salvage the situation. Despite their efforts, the tap remained dry.
A visibly uncomfortable Kihika was heard muttering “imekataa” (it has refused), confirming the tap was not working.
The clip spread quickly on social media, attracting both criticism and ridicule. Some Kenyans questioned why the project was launched before being fully tested.
Others accused county officials of poor planning and rushing projects for publicity.
“Such things should be checked before the governor arrives,” one user commented, while another joked, “The tap looks like it might fall off any time.”
Others, however, defended Kihika, suggesting the failure might have been due to a faulty tap rather than the entire project.
The incident reignited debate about accountability in county governments, with residents wondering how many projects are launched before they are truly ready for use.
Water scarcity remains a major challenge in Nakuru and other counties, making the incident even more sensitive.
Link;
https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/counties/604403-video-susan-kihika-embarrassed-water-fails-flow-launch-tap-project/
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