Water shortage hits Kisumu livelihoods

A shortage of clean water at Mamboleo Slaughterhouse in Kisumu County has exposed how disruptions in water supply can affect local communities, threaten livelihoods and interfere with access to essential food products.

The facility was closed indefinitely from October 23, 2026, after the County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation raised concerns about the lack of safe and reliable water needed to maintain hygiene during slaughtering and meat processing.

The closure affects more than the operations of the slaughterhouse. It has consequences for livestock farmers, traders, butchers, meat vendors and consumers who depend on the facility for their daily economic activities and food supplies.

In a public notice issued on October 22, Acting County Director of Veterinary Services Dr George Odhiambo said operating the slaughterhouse without an adequate supply of clean water posed risks to public health and compromised required meat hygiene standards.

The department consequently suspended all slaughtering, processing and distribution activities at the facility until the water problem is resolved and the slaughterhouse is authorised to reopen.

According to Odhiambo, Mamboleo primarily serves Kisumu East and Kisumu Central, although the effects of its closure could extend to other parts of the county.

The facility had been handling approximately 10 cattle daily and about 40 sheep and goats. Its suspension therefore interrupts an established channel through which livestock is processed and meat supplied to local markets.

For livestock traders and butchers, the closure means finding alternative licensed facilities, potentially requiring additional transport arrangements and adjustments to their normal business operations. Farmers and livestock dealers may also face changes in how quickly animals can be taken to market, depending on the capacity and accessibility of alternative slaughterhouses.

Consumers could experience changes in where they purchase meat and how easily they obtain supplies from their usual vendors. Any additional costs incurred along the supply chain could also place pressure on traders’ operating expenses and potentially affect retail prices, although the extent of such effects has not been established.

The county government has directed traders to use approved slaughterhouses in Otonglo, Kiboswa, Chulaimbo and Rabuor while efforts to restore water at Mamboleo continue.

The closure also highlights the connection between water services and food safety. Slaughterhouses depend on sufficient clean water to wash equipment, clean working surfaces and maintain sanitary conditions throughout meat handling. Without a reliable supply, authorities cannot be assured that operations meet the standards required to protect consumers.

To guard against unsafe meat entering local markets, the county has increased surveillance by public health and veterinary officers. The teams are checking that meat sold to consumers comes from approved facilities and bears the official inspection stamp.

The county is working with the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO) to address the shortage. Mamboleo will remain closed until water supply is restored, the water meets the necessary safety requirements and the facility is cleared to resume operations.

The disruption comes as households continue to rely on meat and other animal products as part of their diets. Kenya’s average annual meat consumption has been estimated at about 15 to 16 kilogrammes per person, although consumption differs across income groups and regions. In Kisumu, fish from Lake Victoria is another important source of protein, alongside beef, poultry, pork, sheep and goat meat.

Beyond the immediate interruption to meat processing, the incident illustrates how inadequate water services can affect interconnected parts of community life. A shortage at a single facility can disrupt businesses, create logistical challenges for suppliers and complicate access to products relied upon by households.

For communities around Kisumu, restoring a dependable supply of safe water at Mamboleo is therefore important not only for reopening the slaughterhouse but also for supporting local livelihoods, maintaining food hygiene and helping normal meat distribution resume.

The duration of the disruption will depend on how quickly the water supply problem is resolved and the facility meets the conditions for reopening. Until then, traders must rely on alternative approved slaughterhouses while county authorities continue monitoring meat safety in local markets.