Borehole repair ends water crisis and eases tensions in Marsabit County

Residents of Kambi Nyoka in Marsabit County are relieved after a borehole was repaired after it broke down months ago, causing a water shortage in the area. The damaged water infrastructure forced local pastoralists to walk for several kilometres to get water for their animals, exposing them to the risk of resource-based conflicts.

Ali Duba stated that the situation had disrupted their way of life as men spent most of their time searching for water.

"We had on several occasions appealed to the county government to expedite the repair but the process was somewhat slow. We are happy that our cry has finally been heard," he said.

Bokao Jillo, a mother of two, said due to water rationing which compromised their hygiene and sanitation, many of the families faced the risk of water-borne diseases.

"We have been grappling with diarrhoea cases among the children for the time the borehole malfunctioned," she said, adding that the repair had saved them hours of walking under the scorching sun.

Repairs to the borehole were completed last weekend. The borehole is one of 26 being repaired and maintained by the county administration to guarantee households have regular access to clean and safe water. Floods ruined some of the boreholes, while others were destroyed during previous security crises.

Hussein Abduba, a local elder, stated that ensuring the current boreholes were completely working would help lessen conflicts because pastoralists would no longer have to travel long distances in search of water and pasture for their animals.

"If the sinking of boreholes is upscaled across the county, cases of people walking longer distances with livestock will reduce which will prevent the killing of innocent lives and loss of livestock to cattle rustlers and bandits," he said.

The county and Millenium Water Alliance are collaborating on borehole management committee training, which has already helped Kubi Dibayu.

The county administration and Strategies for Northern Development collaborated to drill and equip the local borehole.

County Water, Environment, and Natural Resources Management Executive Grace Galmo Boru stated that the works are intended to ensure that citizens have an uninterrupted supply of water.

"This will contribute to enhanced hygiene and sanitation and also promote their livelihoods," she said.