Conserve rainwater to mitigate future droughts, Wajir MP urges

Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow on Monday urged the government to use the ongoing rains to mitigate effects of future droughts.

She said because of climate change which has caused livelihood disruption, the region will continue to experience perennial drought. She thus called on the government to come up with ways of reducing the impact on both human and animals.

Wajir, just like the neighbouring counties in Northeastern, did not receive adequate rainfall during the last October-November short rain season.

According to the metrological department, even the March-April rainfall which is being experienced in several parts of the region, will  be depressed further making an already bad situation worse.

Speaking in Wajir town on Monday, the  lawmaker challenged the government to come up with long term solutions to the perennial drought in the region.

“Our people have experienced an alarming drought phase owing to failure of six consecutive rainy seasons. This is a major indicator of our current plight, which we should partially take blame for lack of preparedness and strengthening of existing policies especially in water, livestock and agriculture,” she said.

According to the Woman Rep, climate adaptation includes developing adaptation remedies and undertaking actions in response to current and future climate change impacts.

She said despite the rainfall experienced in different parts of Wajir and other ASAL counties in recent days, the situation is serious that the effects of the rains might take long to be felt.

“Even though we remain grateful to the almighty for the much-needed rains. I felt sad seeing the rain water going to waste. Where is the rain water harvesting, Where are our water reservoirs?” she posed.

She added, “Are our lands tilled to tap into the rainwater? The very same areas water bowsers were distributing waters, are now watching helplessly as the natural rainwater turns into transportation nuisance.”

She said water is a critical factor in food production, and the adoption of water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting, can help ensure crops have sufficient water during times of drought.

She suggested building of model farms across all the ASAL areas to ensure food security in the hard hit famine regions as another solution.

“Building resilient food systems, this includes strengthening food systems at the local, regional, and national levels, so that they are better prepared to cope with the impacts of climate change,” she said.

She said climate change was also having devastating impact on women and girls as they trek miles in search of water.

“We are truly at risk of losing a generation of bright girls and hardworking women as we shift focus on food and water. We must join hands to keep our girls in school by availing all resources from dignity kits to bursaries so that their careers and dreams are detached from their livestock,” she added.

-Edited by SKanyara