The national government has pumped Sh40 million into ensuring that over 10,000 residents of Samburu North sub-county, together with their 100,000 livestock will continue to access clean water as the dry season sets in.
This is after the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) drilled four boreholes in strategic locations in the region as part of the national government’s drought mitigation programme.
Speaking during the commissioning of the four water projects at Ntir village in Ndoto ward, KVDA Managing Director (MD) Sammy Naporos said that the water projects are long-term measures against the acute water shortage that residents grapple with in the area.
He noted that the four boreholes were drilled and equipped at a cost of Sh10 million each and will pump water via solar power to residents and their livestock.
“The borehole at Loldepe will yield 4,500 litres of water per hour and the one at Soit ng’iro will yield 2,500 litres of water per hour; at Kilepoi the yield is 1,500 litres per hour and here at Ntir the yield is expected to be 2,000 litres per hour. The four boreholes cumulatively serve over 10,000 people and over 100,000 livestock and will alleviate suffering and ease conflict in this area,” Naporos said.
The MD noted that KVDA has been at the forefront of implementing the national government’s drought mitigation programme in ASAL counties and added that there are plans to sink an additional five boreholes in Samburu County in the next financial year.
Samburu North MP, Eli Letipila lauded KVDA and other regional development authorities (RDA) for working closely with the local community to identify areas of need and providing timely interventions.
“Through regional development agencies like KVDA, ASAL counties get their share of the national budget and local communities directly benefit from life-changing water projects. I urge that they are adequately funded because their footprints are seen in the remote parts of this country,” Letipila said.
Residents of Samburu North have expressed their gratitude to the national government for the timely intervention which they said will have a positive impact on their livelihoods.
“We will be able to retain our children in school during the dry season because we don’t have to migrate into neighbouring counties in search of water. There will also be a reduction of intercommunal conflict, which often results in loss of lives,” said Lorika Lesangurikuri.
Also in attendance during the commissioning of the water projects was KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon among other KVDA board of management members.
By Robert Githu
