Isiolo receives Sh150 million for water projects

Residents of Merti and Garbatulla sub-counties have a reason to smile after Isiolo county received Sh150 million for water projects.

This is after Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo signed an MoU with the Water Sector Trust fund, which donated the funds.

The Trust’s Chairperson Bill Lay signed the MOU in the presence of  Ag. CEO Willis Ombai.

Others who accompanied the Governor  are CEC for Lands Yussuf Dahir and chief officer Salad Kadubo

"Water is a basic need yet very scarce in Isiolo. However, these projects will bring change as water will now be free and accessible to the people of  Merti and Garbatulla," he said.

"Part of my agenda is to ensure services such as water are accessible and available in Isiolo," Guyo added.

The water projects are part of the implementation of Sustainable Management and Access to Water & Sanitation in the ASALS Programme (SWASAP).

The SWASAP programme aims to increase community resilience and adaptation to climate change in 3,000 households and 90 villages in Isiolo County.

Isiolo County will inject 13.5million towards the actualization of the projects.

Water scarcity has for a long time been a challenge for most residents of Isiolo County.

However, Governor Guyo assured residents that his administration will seek all necessary solutions to make water accessible and available.

He revealed that the said projects will cover Bissan Biliqo, drilling borehole at Bulesa and piping to Biliqo.

Also the set up of 50m3 ground water steel tank, two water troughs, sanitation improvement and 50,000m3 water pan.

There will also be the installation of an 8.6km pipeline extension to Biliqo, Gubatu primary, Sericho primary and Bahari girls.

Others are 32m3 elevated still tank at Gubatu, 30m3 masonry tank at Bahari girls, rehabilitation of tank at Biliqi and water kiosks at Biliqi and Sericho, installation of 11 water meters at water kiosk.

In Iresaboru the county will expand the water pan to the capacity of 50,000m3.

"My administration will continue to partner with other actors as we aim to fast track short-term initiatives through water trucking and provision of fuels to cushion hundreds of herders following the drought," Guyo added.