The Northern water agency has drilled a new borehole for Kambi Nyoka residents in Marsabit after unsuccessful attempts to repair a broken one.
The Sh4.8 million borehole has a yield of 11,000 litres per hour.
During the test pumping of the borehole last Wednesday, the geologist in charge Francis Maina said the borehole is part of the drought intervention measures by state.
“Today, we are test pumping to establish the elements of the water before laying down the borehole infrastructure,” Maina said
"We are also going to provide fuel subsidy for this borehole for residents to receive water at no cost, " he added.
Northern Water Works Development Agency acting CEO Andrew Rage on Saturday said they came up with intervention measures after the president declared drought a national disaster.
The interventions include provision of fuel subsidy to boreholes, water tracking and supply of water tanks to various communities.
“Through the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, we provide fuel subsidy to the six counties most affected,” Rage said.
Northern Water is mandated to develop water and sewerage infrastructure in Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo and Samburu counties.
Residents expressed their gratitude to the government for the new water point, saving them from the 30 kilometres trek with their livestock to the next borehole.
However, the residents urged the government to increase the cash transfer programme stipends to families affected by drought.
They said the relief food provision has not been sufficient and the Sh3,000 which the government plans to release through the cash transfer programme will not help them buy enough additional food or pay school fees for their children.
“We depend entirely on livestock as a source of livelihood. With the ravaging drought, most of these animals have died leaving us destitute. We cannot pay school fees for our children or buy foodstuff for our families,” Guyo Mammo, a secretary at the community borehole said.
“For three years we have not had sufficient rains. Our livestock are weak and we are in dire need of relief assistance, ” he added
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
