Acute water shortage once crippled the operations of a school in Kitui that went from a 13km trek for water to relying on a borehole that dried up.
Parents and teachers of Kwa Nzula Primary School recounted their misery while receiving a 5,000 litre water tank donated by the Woman Rep, Irene Kasalu.
Speaking at the event in in Tseikuru ward, Mwingi North constituency, they urged the county government and well-wishers to sink boreholes.
Headteacher John Kilonzo said water scarcity has been a major challenge as locals depend solely on a seasonal river 13km away.
"In 2018, we started a boarding wing in the school and the school was doing very well until when water scarcity became a challenge," he said.
Kilonzo said parents would transport water to school for the boarders, but in a year's time, this became almost impossible.
"The parents used to fetch water 13km away, and this made others give up," he said.
The teacher added that a local NGO sunk a borehole in the area but soon after, the water dried up.
"If only we could have a reliable source of water, then our leaners would be doing well in class and the boarding wing would still be in existence," he said.
Josephine Ndinda, a parent said the parents and children walk up to 13km to fetch water, which limits the time a learner can concentrate on their books.
"Our girls are not safe when walking for all these kilometres to look for water. They can no longer concentrate in class also, and their hygiene is at stake," she said.
Mulei Muisyo, another parent, said water scarcity has hurt academic performance.
He called on leaders to join hands and ensure the community members and schoolchildren do not have to walk for so long, looking for water.
Elizabeth Kaisali, the MP's representative, said every school in Kitui county will benefit from the water tanks.