Hon. Mustafa Abdirashid Ahmed MCA Iftin and current Deputy Speaker of Garissa County Assembly./COURTERSY
For decades, vast stretches of Garissa County have suffered the biting consequences of water scarcity.
In towns like Madogashe, Maalimin, and the expanding neighbourhoods of Garissa Township, the daily struggle for water has defined the lives of generations limiting development, burdening families, and stifling opportunity.
But today, the tide is turning. Under the leadership of Governor Nathif Jama, a series of transformative water projects are breathing new life into communities that had long been left behind.
These projects; the Madogashe Water Project, the Maalimin Water Project and the Maramtu Water Initiative are more than infrastructure ventures.
They are the foundation upon which a more prosperous, inclusive, and dignified future is being built.
Madogashe, a historically significant town that straddles the intersection of the Nairobi–Isiolo–Wajir–Mandera flagship highway, has for decades been synonymous with hardship due to persistent water shortages.
Since independence, this key interchange town has waited for a solution that would match its strategic location and its resilient population.
That solution has now arrived.
The Madogashe Water Project, implemented by the county government under Governor Nathif’s stewardship, represents a monumental breakthrough.
For the first time in living memory, residents are beginning to enjoy a reliable and sustainable supply of clean water.
The impact is immediate and far-reaching. Households that once walked long distances in search of water can now plan their days differently.
Businesses, which previously operated at the mercy of expensive water vendors, are able to cut costs and grow.
Public institutions, including schools and health facilities, are functioning more effectively thanks to steady water access. But perhaps the most profound change is what the project symbolizes: a new identity for Madogashe. A town once known for its thirst is now on a path to becoming a commercial magnet and a vibrant settlement. Its location on a flagship national highway makes it ripe for investment and water is the key that unlocks that potential.
Similar stories of hope are emerging from Maalimin and its surrounding areas, including Afwein and other smaller settlements. Here too, water scarcity was not just a daily inconvenience but a generational burden.
The Somali term “Omane”, often used to describe the region, translates loosely to “the thirsty ones”, a name etched into local memory as a reflection of years of neglect.
With the commissioning of the Maalimin Water Project, that name may soon become obsolete. By tapping into sustainable water sources and extending supply to neighbouring communities, this initiative is doing more than providing a basic need, it is rewriting the narrative of an entire region.
Livelihoods are being revived, and local dignity restored. For women and children especially, who bore the brunt of long, dangerous treks in search of water, this project is nothing short of liberating.
While much attention is often given to rural hardship, the water challenges in urban Garissa have also been real especially in fast-growing areas that have sprung up in recent years.
The county’s capital has seen significant expansion over the past five years, but basic services have struggled to keep pace.
Water supply in these new neighborhoods was patchy at best, with many residents forced to rely on expensive and unreliable water bowsers.
The Maramtu Water Project, designed specifically to address this urban challenge, is a strategic response to rapid urbanisation. By investing in the infrastructure needed to extend clean water to these newly developed areas, Governor Nathif’s administration is demonstrating a commitment to equitable growth ensuring that no part of Garissa is left behind.
Together, these projects reflect a broader philosophy of leadership , one that prioritizes long-term impact over short-term optics, and one that listens to the needs of the people before charting a path forward.
Governor Nathif Jama, now in his second non-consecutive term, has consistently emphasized that development must be people-centred and anchored in sustainability.
Nowhere is this more evident than in his administration’s approach to water, a resource so fundamental, yet so often politicised or overlooked.
It is important to note that these achievements are not accidental.
They are the result of deliberate planning, effective coordination with development partners, and efficient use of public resources.
The ability to bring such life-changing projects to fruition in arid and semi-arid regions speaks to the strength of leadership, the competence of technical teams, and the patience of communities who never gave up hope. Of course, challenges remain.
Sustaining these projects, protecting water sources, and ensuring fair distribution will require continued vigilance and community involvement.
But what cannot be denied is that a historic foundation has been laid.
In the final analysis, Governor Nathif Jama’s water legacy is one of transformation not just of infrastructure, but of lives, landscapes, and possibilities.
Where once there was despair, there is now promise.
Where communities were written off as too remote or too difficult, they are now testaments to what focused governance can achieve. Water is life. And in Garissa County, life is beginning anew.
The writer is the MCA for Iftin Ward and current Deputy Speaker of Garissa County Assembly
