CDA
Chairman Mzee Mwinyi speaking to the press.
CDA Acting
Managing Director Dr. Mwanasiti Bendera speaking to the press.
Fafi CDF
Chairman Abdirahman Ibrahim speaking to the press.Residents of Fafi constituency can finally breathe a sigh of relief after years of struggling with severe water shortages.
The Coast Development Authority (CDA) has commissioned three major water pans worth Sh90 million to address the acute scarcity that has long disrupted daily life in the semi-arid region.
For decades, communities in Fafi have walked long distances in search of clean water for domestic use and their livestock.
The scarcity has not only affected households but also compromised education, strained public health, and slowed economic activities.
On Wednesday, CDA officials handed over the construction sites for the three water pans in Kaltum, Gure, and Hiribae to contractors.
The projects are part of the agency’s drought mitigation scheme aimed at transforming livelihoods in arid areas.
CDA Chairman Mzee Mwinyi said the agency has invested heavily in similar projects before, including a Sh142 million mega earth-fill dam at Galma Gala, which has since boosted local economic growth.
“These water pans will be a big relief to residents who trek for kilometres in search of water. Water is life, and in arid regions like Fafi, these projects are transformative,” Mwinyi said, while calling for more political support and funding to expand such initiatives.
The Kaltum and Gure pans, each valued at Sh20 million, will hold up to 20,000 cubic meters of water, while Hiribae, at a cost of Sh50 million, has a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters.
Residents welcomed the development with gratitude, describing it as life-changing. Mohamed Abdi, a long-time resident, said the projects will ease the suffering caused by climate change and prolonged droughts.
“With access to reliable water sources, we can look forward to improved health, better agricultural productivity, and stronger livelihoods,” Abdi said.
For Mariam Hussein, a 55-year-old mother of eight, the projects will restore dignity and ease the burden on families. She recalled how her children often skipped school to fetch water.
“This water project is a big relief to us. For decades, we have trekked for kilometres in pursuit of this precious commodity. We can’t thank CDA enough,” she said.
CDA Acting Managing Director Dr. Mwanasiti Bendera said the initiative was designed with the pastoralist lifestyle of Fafi residents in mind.
“This project ensures adequate water for both domestic use and livestock. Their suffering has truly come to an end,” she noted.
Fafi CDF Chairman Abdirahman Ibrahim lauded CDA, terming the projects a milestone in tackling one of the constituency’s most pressing challenges.
“These projects are more than just infrastructure — they are a lifeline. They restore dignity, boost local development, and prove what partnerships between government agencies and local leadership can achieve,” he said.
He further urged the government to reconsider plans to scrap Regional Development Authorities (RDAs), noting their crucial role in delivering projects aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
