The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) raised Sh130.8 million to address water crises and restore peace in four counties of Northern Kenya.
Governor of Samburu County Jonathan Lati Lelelit speaking during the inaugural NDMA road race at Archers post on Saturday said that water crises have been a major setback in restoring peace in the region.
‘’Some of the biggest conflicts we have between our pastoralists communities are water based conflicts and the moment you solve that issue, we will have gone a long way in ensuring our people are peaceful,”said Governor Lelelit.
NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Hared Adan said the road race was deliberately designed to involve Morans from the four counties in peace-building through sporting activities while raising funds for drought resilience projects.
“We will continue bringing communities together. There can be no development without peace. I call on these communities to think carefully before invading others,” Adan said. He recalled an earlier NDMA peace caravan along the Garissa-Isiolo-Meru borders aimed at reducing drought-related tensions.
Rtd. Col Adan said that the community prioritized drought resilience projects of Lmarmaroi Rock Catchment Project in Samburu, the Naitutum Water Pipeline Extension Project in Isiolo, the Koija Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Livelihood Project in Laikipia, and the Nauchi Water Project Solarisation and Rehabilitation in Meru would commence immediately.
They are expected to benefit more than 5,000 households and over 50,000 livestock.
NDMA Board Chairman Shallow Yahya emphasized that drought resilience should be viewed as an investment rather than pure humanitarian aid.
“Investing in drought resilience is not charity. It is an investment in productive communities, stable markets, secure livelihoods and sustainable development,” he said.
The chairman noted that drought destroys productive assets, disrupts markets and intensifies competition over scarce resources such as water and pasture. Climate change, he added, hits ASAL communities hardest because their livelihoods depend heavily on climate-sensitive resources.
Rtd. Col. Adan lauded the partners noting that the Road Race was not just a sporting event, but as a platform to convert public awareness and partnership into tangible investments that strengthen water security, livelihoods, peace and resilience.
Key partners included Action Against Hunger who financed 50 per cent of the cost of two of the target resilience projects, Kenya Commercial Bank(KCB), Kenya Defense Forces(KDF) among others.
‘’ Drought need not become a disaster when we prepare, invest and act early, “said the NDMA boss.
The inaugural NDMA Road Race featured 10km, 5km and 2km categories, followed by a public baraza, prize presentation, sponsor recognition and the awarding of commitment certificates.
By Muturi Mwangi.
