The government is implementing a mega development programme in the counties of Marsabt and Turkana aimed at transforming lives and accelerating growth in the poverty-stricken region.
The 6-year Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya (DRPNK) project, which is being funded by the Kenyan government with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany at a cost of Sh2.625 billion, kicked off in mid-2019.
The programme, which is scheduled to end in December 2025, is expected to lay firm foundations that transform the lives of over 595,000 people in the two counties.
Speaking at Dambala-Fachana in Sololo sub-county during the launch of the programme, the Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, said the project was aimed at supporting local communities whole reel under pressing persistent drought challenges which have been aggravated by climate change.
The comprehensive initiative, CPA Kimotho said, entails measures to water harvesting and storage, irrigation, animal health, range management, health services in schools, fodder production, and general improvement of infrastructure.
In Marsabit County alone, the principal secretary said the expected outcomes were notable, with about 255,000 people set to benefit and 5,000 acres of rangeland to be rehabilitated, while 10,000 direct and indirect jobs will be generated, especially for the youth.
He emphasized on the collaborative efforts between the national and county governments towards the success of the project, which is expected to drive sustainable development in the region.
The launch of the programme, which was also graced by Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali and the Principal Secretary for ASALs Kello Harsama, has a major objective of boosting food security through irrigation farming, where water pans, dams, and boreholes are developed to provide water for crop and feedlot systems.
The PS further underlined the need for teamwork across various agencies that include the state department for ASALs, the National Treasury and Planning, and the county government in order to achieve the much anticipated drought resilience among the local communities.
“This project is aimed at enhanced drought resilience and climate change adaptation in ASAL areas, which I can assure that the Ruto Administration has committed to achieve,” noted the PS.
CPA Kimotho also led the team on an inspection tour of Kukub Water Pan rehabilitation by the National Irrigation Authority at a cost of Sh 45 million, where he underscored the potential of the project in putting up to 500,000 acres under irrigation agriculture.
“The government is cognisant of the importance of this project and the programme as a whole in speeding up the intended development to the benefit of Marsabit residents, and I would urge the county government to also release their share of funds for timely progress,” he said.
The poverty rates in the targeted counties are alarmingly high at 92 per cent and 80% in Turkana and Marsabit, respectively.
CPA Kimotho said that the Kenya Kwanza government was keen on strengthening the adaptive capacities of the pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems through expansion and rehabilitation of relevant infrastructure for sustainability.
In his remarks, Governor Ali said the programme was appropriate for the region as it would assist in finding a solution to the water shortage problem and enhance food production in the county, which has been allocated Sh 1 billion.
Governor Ali said the water harnessing initiatives would go a long way in strengthening the agricultural potential, hence enhancing food security, which has eluded the region for a long time.
The governor urged locals to continue diversifying their economic activities by embracing crop farming, especially now that an opportunity to practice irrigation is being offered in order to make themselves self-sufficient in food and raise surpluses for income generation.
“I am optimistic that this project is going to succeed,” he said, calling for its fast implementation through observance of timelines so as to realise the desired benefits.
The implementation of the project will benefit 340 people in the neighbouring Turkana county, where Sh 1.625 has been channelled.
By Sebastian Miriti
