Communities in Mackinnon Road Ward in Samburu Sub-County, Kwale County, have received a major boost in access to clean and reliable water following the completion of the Taru–Roka–Egu–Kwa Kalinga Water Pipeline Extension Project.
The project, a drought resilience intervention by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with a worsening drought after successive poor rainy seasons marked by below-average rainfall, high temperatures and rapid depletion of water and pasture resources. Food security has deteriorated across many arid and semi-arid areas as household coping capacities weaken, livestock conditions decline and access to safe water becomes increasingly constrained.
In Mackinnon Road Ward, residents have historically relied on unsafe seasonal water pans and rock catchments, exposing families to waterborne diseases, disrupting education and intensifying competition over scarce water and grazing resources.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Aden Hared said the intervention was designed to address chronic water insecurity while building long-term drought resilience.
“In Mackinnon Road Ward, communities have historically relied on unsafe seasonal water sources, exposing families to waterborne diseases and conflict over scarce resources,” said Hared. “This project is a practical demonstration of how early investment in climate-resilient water systems can protect lives, livelihoods, and dignity during prolonged dry periods,” he added.
Hared noted that women and children bore the greatest burden during drought due to long treks in search of water, while pastoral livelihoods faced heightened risks as livestock traveled long distances in search of watering points.
The Taru–Roka–Egu–Kwa Kalinga Water Pipeline Extension Project involved the installation of a 7.7-kilometre high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline linking Taru, Roka, Egu and Kwa Kalinga.
The system includes a 60,000-litre underground storage tank fitted with a solar-powered pumping system, three water kiosks — among them a pilot automated water dispensing (ATM) kiosk at Roka — four communal water points and four cattle troughs.
To enhance sustainability and operational efficiency, the project also provided two patrol motorcycles, a butt fusion machine and zonal meters to support routine operation, monitoring, and maintenance.
According to the NDMA CEO, the project has already delivered tangible results; Domestic water trekking distances have reduced to less than 500 metres, while livestock trekking distances have dropped from more than five kilometres to under one kilometre, significantly supporting pastoral livelihoods and local food security.
“Water costs have dropped from Sh10 to below Sh5 per 20-litre container, easing the burden on households,” said Festus Kambi, Secretary of the Taru Egu Water Users Association (TEWUA), which manages the system.
The project directly benefits 3,340 people, with over 5,000 residents in the wider project area and more than 5,000 livestock also gaining from improved access to water.
Improved access to clean water has enhanced public health outcomes and school attendance, particularly among girls who previously spent hours fetching water. Reduced competition over scarce resources has also lowered the risk of local conflicts.
Women operating the water kiosks have leveraged the opportunity to form empowerment groups and generate income. Bahati Nyamvula, a representative of the Amani Help Silk Group, described the initiative as transformative.
She explained that the project has drastically reduced water costs and travel time for families while enabling the women’s group to sell up to 1,000 jerrycans of water daily, creating a steady revenue stream.
“Access to reliable water is critical for household food preparation and nutrition, livestock survival and pastoral incomes, public health and disease prevention, and reducing conflict over scarce resources,” said Nyamvula.
She added that the group hopes to expand infrastructure and receive vocational training to diversify investments using profits generated from water sales.
The project incorporates innovation through solar-powered pumping systems to lower operational costs and reduce carbon emissions. The ATM water kiosk enhances efficiency, accountability, and transparency in revenue collection while minimizing wastage.
It is managed by TEWUA under sector oversight, with user fees supporting routine operation, maintenance and future expansion.
Implemented at a cost of Sh24 million, the project was funded by the European Union under the Dry-land Climate Action for Community Drought Resilience (DCADR) programme. It was executed by NDMA in collaboration with Kwale County Government and community institutions.
The water pipeline is set to be formally handed over to the community and the County Government to ensure long-term sustainability, marking a significant step toward strengthening drought resilience and securing water access for vulnerable communities in the region.
By Chari Suche
