Madogashe residents in Garissa celebrate as clean water flows, ending decades-long crisis

Thousands of residents in Madogashe turned out to celebrate the commissioning of a clean water project, marking the end of a water crisis that has plagued the community since Kenya’s independence.

The inauguration of the long-awaited project coincided with the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held at Madogashe Municipality.

Community leaders expressed joy and relief, reflecting on the decades spent without reliable access to clean water.

“It’s a new dawn for Madogashe,” said Siyat Noor, a retired civil servant and long-time resident.

“After years of broken promises, seeing clean water flow from the tap today is nothing short of historic. I am overjoyed as we mark Madaraka Day.”

The 66-year-old, now serving as a local community leader, recounted how residents had endured hardship while elected leaders repeatedly pledged, often during campaign seasons, to address the water issue.

Fatuma Noor, another resident, also expressed her delight, calling the day one of joy and pride. “For the first time, we’re celebrating Madaraka Day with dignity. We now have clean water at home. In the past, we relied on shallow wells and water trucking, which was difficult and unreliable.”

Youth leader Sahara Ahmed Bare said the prolonged water shortage had forced some residents to migrate to nearby towns in search of clean water. She welcomed the new development, calling it a life-changing achievement.

“For many in our town, this is the first time they’re seeing piped water in their lifetime,” she said.

Other locals echoed the need to establish a community-based water management committee to oversee and sustain the facility.

Joining in the celebrations was Ibrahim Halake Kalicha from neighbouring Sololo town in Isiolo County. He called the project a relief not only for Madogashe but also for neighbouring communities that share water resources.

Speaking at the Madaraka Day event at Madogashe Municipality Stadium, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama emphasised the project’s significance, noting that it ends over a century of dependence on shallow wells dug manually along the Togweyne seasonal riverbed.

“Shallow wells were unsustainable, particularly during drought,” he said. “Two years ago, we began drilling four boreholes 45 kilometres away in the Qone Plains within the Lorian Swamp. This has now materialised into a reliable water supply system.”

The Governor noted that the project features storage tanks with a capacity of 450,000 litres, plus an additional 250,000 litres at Waree Station, located 29 kilometres from the boreholes. The system will supply 60,000 litres of water per hour, benefiting more than 30,000 residents and various public amenities.

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• Madogashe residents in Garissa celebrate as clean water flows
• ending decades-long crisis

“This is your project,” Governor Nathif told residents. “Support it, protect it, and sustain it through responsible use and timely payments.”

He further announced that 150 vulnerable households unable to afford piped connections would be connected at no cost.

Garissa Senator Abdikadir Haji lauded the county government’s efforts, describing the project as a boost to life and dignity.

“Today, Madogashe residents can finally smile during Madaraka Day celebrations,” he said. “I remember a visit where someone confessed they hadn’t showered for three days. That’s when we initiated emergency water trucking while seeking a lasting solution.”

Lagdera MP Abdikadir Mohamed acknowledged the long-standing challenge and reaffirmed the commitment of national, county, and donor partners to deliver clean water to other underserved settlements in the constituency.