The national government has offered a lifeline to over 9000 households in Ndoto ward in Samburu North Sub County after the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) sunk six boreholes as part of the ongoing governments drought mitigation program.
Speaking during the handing over of two complete boreholes in Matepes and Mpatpat villages, KVDA Managing Director (MD) Sammy Naporos said that over 30,000 livestock and an unknown number of wild animals will also benefit from the water project.
He added that the boreholes which have been equipped with solar pumps will supply water to troughs and nearby schools at the rate of 7,000 liters per hour.
The MD noted that a single water facility will be utilized by many villages including some in the neighbouring Marsabit County who will now stop migrating in search of water.
“This water projects will have a multiplier effect because when families settle in one area there will be an increase in school enrolment, nutrition will improve and feeding will be consistent and to a large extent it will mitigate communal conflicts which are common in Samburu north.” He said.
On his part KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon said that during this financial year, the national government has pumped Sh 130 million towards 12 water projects six in Samburu North and six Samburu Central Sub-Counties.
“As a regional body, KVDA covers counties that are in Arid and Semi-Arid areas and we ensure residents of these areas have close access to clean water for domestic use and for their livestock.” He said.
Florence Nasieku, a resident of Matepes said that before the borehole was sunk women used to travel for twenty-five kilometers in search of water for domestic use and it would only last for two days.
“We would leave our houses at 3am to go and fetch water and come back at 7pm only to find our children unconscious due to excess heat and thirst.” Nasieku said.
Samburu North MP Eli Letipila lauded the government’s efforts noting that Samburu North is among the driest regions in the country and during the recent drought one fatality was reported in Mpatpat village.
“This is the first water project in this area since independence and I can confidently say this is the true definition of Bottom-Up Economic Transformation because our women are now planting kitchen gardens besides the water kiosk to improve nutrition and earn a few shillings.” Said Letipila.
By Robert Githu
