Turkana pastoralists have called on the county and national governments as well as humanitarian agencies to help them get water as drought ravages the region.
The pastoralists say they have not received any rainfall since September last year and all water sources such water springs and boreholes have dried up.
Peter Ejore, 44, a resident of Lapur in Turkana North, is among pastoralists who trek for more than 30km in search of water for livestock and domestic use.
“A water dam in Liwani that we depended on has dried up. We are experiencing water scarcity in the region because of the drought... We are forced to trek more than 30km in search of water to drink and for our huge number of livestock,” Ejore said.
He lamented that they have already lost their cattle to the drought, which has ravaged water sources and grazing fields.
“When you walk around Liwani village, carcasses of cows, goats sheep and donkeys are scattered, an indication that we are facing drought in the region. All our livestock are going to be finished, if we will not get help from the relevant authorities,” he said.
Liwani chief Philip Ekamaisi confirmed that pastoralists are losing their cattle.
“Pastoralists have lost about 45,000 to 50,000 cattle and the worst will happen if the situation is not addressed immediately,” he said.
Ekamaisi called on the county government and humanitarian agencies to provide water and relief food to address the situation.
“Our people depend on livestock to support their livelihoods. If the livestock is killed by the devastating drought, then lives are at risk. We are struggling to get clean water to drink and for our livestock,” he said.
Sarah Ekidor, a resident of Lapur, said water scarcity has forced them to spend their time hunting for the commodity to drink and to feed their animals.
She appealed to the county and national government as well as humanitarian to agencies provide them with water.
