Wajir County Government, in collaboration with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), has launched a water trucking initiative aimed at alleviating the impact of the ongoing drought across all sub-counties in Wajir.
Speaking in Sukeyla, Wajir South sub-county, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Haret Aden stated that the agency has initiated early mitigation plans following the below-average October to December rainfall last year and the previous rain season.Aden, who was accompanied by Wajir South Member of Parliament Mohamed Adow and County Director of Water Mohamed Farah, revealed that 132 centres and 117 learning institutions in the county currently required water trucking interventions.
“To address the current situation, we have started early planning. Yesterday, we had a meeting with the county leadership and non-state actors operating in the county to map out interventions and identify hotspots,” said Aden.
According to the latest NDMA January report, Wajir is among the counties hardest hit by drought, with the majority of its population relying on open water sources that have now dried up.
Aden further noted that NDMA is also extending support to other drought-affected counties, such as Marsabit.
“We will continue working closely with the leadership and the affected counties to ensure that drought does not escalate into a crisis,” Aden reiterated.
Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow commended the collaborative efforts between the county government and NDMA, emphasising that the proactive response marks a significant departure from previous drought interventions, which often arrived too late.
“We are very grateful for this timely intervention from NDMA in collaboration with the county government of Wajir. This early response to the dry spell will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of both people and livestock,” said Adow.
Farah highlighted the existing efforts by the county government to mitigate the drought effects, noting that several boreholes have been deployed across the county to provide relief after the water pans dried up.
“We currently have 20 water bowsers supplying water throughout the county, and on behalf of the county government, I sincerely thank NDMA for their unwavering support during this difficult period,” Farah stated.
The initiative aims to ensure that critical water needs are met across the region, with a focus on high-risk areas to prevent further humanitarian crises.
By Hamdi Buthul