Laikipia County has benefitted from borehole drilling machines aimed at addressing water crises in the county.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, speaking in Isiolo on Thursday, said they had partnered with the Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) in a bid to construct boreholes which would benefit farmers through irrigation and boost food security for the residents.
The Governor revealed that the machines, which included tippers, caterpillars, water bowsers, and water drilling trucks, had minor mechanical problems, but his administration would set aside some funds from a supplementary budget to repair them and kick off water drilling next month.
“We have settled on an agreement as County Government on putting aside some finances to repair some of these machines that have been laying here without giving services just because of some minor mechanical issues,” revealed the Governor.
For water bowsers, the Governor said during the rainy season, a lot of water was lost and therefore needed to be harvested and used in dry spells.
Additionally, Irungu pointed out that the machines would also be used to construct dams for livestock use, hospitals, schools, and community conservancies to bolster the tourism sector in the vast Laikipia.
“In partnership with ENNDA, we can do major projects and address the problem of water harvesting and irrigation. When we put our resources together, we can be able to achieve more,” said the governor.
On his part, ENNDA Managing Director Eng. Ali Ibrahim Hassan said that the water drilling machines would go a long way in improving water infrastructure in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASALs).
“We have had the discussion on how we can collaborate and improve the water infrastructure in Laikipia using this equipment,” said Eng. Hassan.
He extended an olive branch to other ASAL counties in the Northern region to join hands aimed at mitigating water shortages.
By Muturi Mwangi
