It’s a sigh of relief for Muramati residents in Segera , Laikipia North after the launch of a borehole drilling by Habitat for Humanity Kenya after decades of suffering from lack of water in the Semi-arid region.
The solar powered borehole is expected to benefit more than 300 households as well as local schools. For years, lack of reliable water, residents say, had been turned into a campaign tool.
They said that every election cycle, politician’s woo them with pledges to address water shortage in the Semi-Arid region through borehole drilling only to abandon their commitments once elected, a situation that will henceforth become a thing of the past.
‘’It is over 48 years since I came to Muramati, we have even raised our children with water challenges. For decades, politicians have used it as a campaign tool, they come, pledge to address the water crisis only to abandon their commitment once elected,” said Mary Wangari, a beneficiary of the water project.
Nancy Munyiri, another beneficiary said that their cattle had died for lack of water despite numerous promises by the politicians that a borehole would be installed in the area, revealing that they depended on seasonal rivers which are unreliable.
Previously, residents walked more than 10 kilometers in search of water for domestic use often spending the entire day on that task. The new borehole is expected to provide reliable water access for both domestic, livestock and irrigation.
‘’This is a dry place and the only source of water is a seasonal river which has since dried up , women could walk for more than 10 kilometers to fetch water with a whole day dedicated for that task,” noted Maina Munini, another resident.
Habitat for Humanity Germany Project Coordinator Caroline Lackmaier, said that the borehole drilling is being done under the Muramati Integrated WASH and Housing Project with aim to improve living conditions, sanitation and dignity for the residents .
She said approximately 300 pupils will also benefit from improved access to safe water, sanitation and enhanced hygiene practices.
“Besides providing decent homes, we are active in water, sanitation and health since for a home to be complete, water is paramount and that’s why we partner with different organizations in provision of water to the communities,” said Ms Lackmaiaer.
Ms Lackmaiaer said that apart from Laikipia, they were implementing similar projects in Kisumu and Machakos County.
She revealed that the project is implemented through the funding support of Wolfgang Durr Stiftung, a Non-Profit foundation in Germany.
By Muturi Mwangi
