Over 20 groups in Marsabit receive plastic water tanks

Marsabit County Government on Thursday distributed plastic water tanks as part of enhanced efforts to fight perennial water shortages at household levels in the region.

The 10,000-litre tanks are anticipated to reduce the problem of water shortage being experienced in the region, especially during the drought seasons.

Speaking during the distribution of 20 plastic tanks at the department office, the county executive committee member for Water, Environment and Natural resources Malicha Boru said with proper water harvesting facilities, the region can enhance nutritional capacity at household levels.

"The tanks would be used to harvest rainwater which in most cases goes to waste due to lack of storage facilities," he said.

The tanks were distributed with the support of the Food and Agricultural organization.

Boru said the administration of Governor Mohamud Ali is committed to easing household water shortages by increasing access to clean water through rainwater harvesting.

He stated that low-income households that have been dogged by lack of water were prioritized in a bid geared towards making the county a water-secure region.

"We are committed to improving access to safe and clean water. The tanks will harvest water during the rainy season and save many families from the long, torturous treks to water source," he said

The water executive urged county residents to take advantage of the ongoing rainy season and harvest water for future use.

Boru said most parts of the county were receiving rain and it was prudent to harvest water to use during the dry season.

He said some residents were still grappling with water shortage even during the rainy season as they had not invested in water harvesting techniques.

The CEC challenged locals to purchase water storage tanks and install gutters on their roofs to harvest the commodity that goes to waste.

"The rains are here with us. I urge residents to harvest the water to prevent it from going to waste. Rainwater harvesting will help address water shortage during the dry season," he said

The water chief officer Rob Galma urged locals to install water guards which will enable the easy harvesting of rainwater.

"We are encouraging our people to install water harvesting amenities on their roofs so that they can harvest all the water that comes forth instead of leaving it to go to waste," he said

The water chief officer said 70 percent of residents suffer due to water scarcity while millions of gallons of vital commodities go to waste during the rainy season.

He said if every household could acquire rainwater from their roof, they would have more than enough for domestic use.

"Rainwater is better than the contaminated water from dams and water pans that are most often soiled with animal cow dung," he said

"We need to tap rainwater because we have roofs. A lot of water is unnecessarily going to waste," he added

Roba said during the rainy season, locals struggle with floods but shortly after the rainy season, they face a debilitating water shortage.

"Water can be tapped from the roofs which is a resource that reduces water scarcity," he said.

One of the beneficiaries Waqo Qalicha said the plastic water tanks would be of great help to them and thanked the county government for focusing on addressing water scarcity.

Roba Doti, another beneficiary says the plastic water tanks come in handy as the onset of rains begins and he will harvest the water to use even for irrigation.