Address worsening drought situation, Lagdera MP tells state

Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein has expressed concern over the worsening drought situation in Lagdera subcounty, Garissa.

Speaking to the press in Garissa town on Sunday, Hussein said if urgent intervention measures by both the national and county governments do not reach the people in the areas in the coming few weeks then lives could be lost.

According to Hussein, the residents are now forced to trek long distances in search of water for domestic use and the animals.

“I have already talked to the county commissioner who I believe is getting regular briefs on the situation on the ground. We are all in agreement that the situation is dire and requires urgent intervention,” he said.

The newly elected MP said that the constituency has for decades suffered from perennial water shortage with no permanent solution from the two sets of government.

He, however, remained optimistic that the incoming governments (county and national) will address the plight of the residents and come up with solutions, which he said include building mega dams and drilling more boreholes.

“We thought with devolution in place at least we will find a solution but that hasn’t worked to date,” Hussein said.

The MP said water tracking should come as a short term solution but going forward, both the national and county government should explore the possibilities of sinking boreholes.

The two governments, he said, should also consider constructing mega dams to save the pastoralists from stress of travelling for long distance in search of water for both domestic use and livestock.

The area has always suffered from acute water shortage and numerous efforts to sinking  boreholes have not yielded much results.

Leaders and residents have also held numerous demonstrations to complain about the same problems, accusing the national government of doing little to address the problem.

During his inaugural speech, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama acknowledged the situation in Lagdera subcounty, saying that his administration will construct a modern mega dam in Modogashe to conserve rain water. 

He said the water will then be treated and supplied to the town.

(edited by Amol Awuor)