The Government has launched multi-million water projects targeting five ASAL counties.
The projects being implemented by the Ministry of Water target an estimated 1.5 million people in the particular counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.
World Bank which is the main financer under its regional project dubbed Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience has released a total of Sh15.5 billion towards it.
The six-year project which its initial phase started with survey identification of the projects last year is due for completion by 2027.
In the course of the works, more than 400 boreholes will be rehabilitated and new ones being constructed.
Water CS Alice Wahome who presided over the launch lauded the World Bank for the partnership saying this will go a long way in ensuring the water problem in those counties is addressed once and for all.
Wahome also assured the financier of prudent utilisation of funds issuing a warning shot to those hellbent on misusing it.
"All projects will be fully accounted for...any contractor who fails to live up to the scope of the work will not be paid," she said.
She added, "We are going to put in place machinery on the procurement process is above board...we shall be keen on having every single documented project completed and those that fail shall be blacklisted by my own pen."
Those present during the event were Principal Secretaries Paul Rono (Water), Githonga Mugambi (Irrigation) and Governors from these targeted counties.
CEOs of the Water Sector Trust Fund, Water Resources Authority and Regional centre for water resources also attended.
Rono said he is going to ensure the implementation of the project is fast-tracked and that there is value for money.
He added that moving forward they are going to embrace the use of technology in the management of water.
"I am happy this program has come up with a component of technology and we are going to harness it so that water is managed in a more efficient and effective manner," he stated.
The HoAGW4RP is a regional program that also involves Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea and IGAD.
The joint implementation of the program, according to World Bank is to foster regional integration of the communities living in the borderlands within the Horn of Africa.
The main objective is to increase the sustainable access and management of groundwater in the backdrop of the recurrent drought.
