Tana River County drills boreholes across county as part of drought response initiative

TANA RIVER,Kenya, Oct, 7 – As part of the mitigation exercise in the wake of the ongoing drought that has affected at least two million Kenyans, the Tana River county is set to drill at least 5 five boreholes across the county to facilitate water supply for residents and their livestocks.

The boreholes will now be drilled  Ngao, Gururi, Waldena, and Lakole locations that were identified as the most affected with residents walking hundreds of kilometres in search of water for their families and livestock as most water pans dried up.

Speaking in Ngao village, the Acting Manager of Tana River Water and Sewerage Company (TAWASCO) William Jillo said the drought response committee has set aside Sh30 million for the water sector.

The exercise is now set to be completed in the next two weeks. Ngao water station serves more than 3000 families in Ngao village and neighbouring areas.

The station currently can supply 1000 M3 per day.

“The boreholes will be equipped with solar and the water will be pumped to the water supply station,’’ said Ag. Manager of TAWSCO William Jillo.

At least 30 water tanks with capacities of 10000 liters will  be distributed to the affected villages for water storage.

“To say the truth this project came at the right time, we are facing drought as a county. It will supplement the water we are receiving in our location,” said a resident.

President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought, that is affecting parts of the country a national disaster.

Consequently, the President has instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to spearhead Government efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.

The government has established a multi-agency taskforce to support the affected families.

Under the Hunger Safety Net Programme each beneficiary is expected to receive at least Sh5,400.

Government has issued a Sh597m cheque to Equity Bank which will be used to support affected families in Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir and Mandera.

Further Sh10 billion will be released to counties hosting refugees under the Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (KDRDIP).

“Under this project Garissa will get Sh4.2B, Turkana Sh3B and Wajir Sh2B as we are targeting counties that are hosting refugees and have been affected by the drought,” Said former devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa.

The government is expected to release cash through the Relief Assistance Management Information System (RAMIS).

Under the RAMIS programme families are expected to receive Sh4,000 on a  monthly basis.

The devolution ministry is working with the World Food Programme and National drought management authority by harmonizing their data in order to avoid cases of double allocation.

Also, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as the European Union (EU) have committed Sh1.5 billion and Sh500 million respectively towards water tracking and water provision to the affected communities.