Government enhances efforts to accelerate development in ASAL areas
Sebastian Miriti-KNA
The Government has redoubled efforts to fast-track development in arid and semi-arid parts of the country.
As such, the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development has rehabilitated a water project for residents of Illeret Division in North Horr Constituency who have stayed without the vital commodity for a long period.
The Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Kello Harsama said that the initiative will alleviate water shortage and contribute to the improvement of the general welfare of the local community.
He was speaking when he commissioned the Illeret community borehole at Balkachoki area. The project, which involved the rehabilitation of the high yielding borehole, construction of livestock watering troughs, restoration of water tanks and piping, was realized through the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) at the cost of Sh12 million.
Mr Harsama added that the solar-powered borehole, which had broken down and spoilt, would now enable over 3,000 households to access clean water and serve a population of more than 20,000 livestock and wild animals.
The rehabilitation of the borehole, according to the PS, is in line with the desire of the government to render effective services to Kenyans irrespective of where they live in the country.
Mr Harsama, who was accompanied by the top management of KVDA including its chairman Mark Chesergon and the chief executive officer (CEO) Sammy Naporos pointed out that the role of the government and partners was to implement development projects while their protection and maintenance was the responsibility of the benefiting communities.
The PS, who also toured other various projects in the area that are being undertaken by the government, said efforts are not only aimed at speeding up growth but to transform the lives of local communities.
“I urge you to jealously protect this project from vandals and other external elements in order to ensure you fully benefit from the value intended,” he said, adding that the government would soon embark on the rehabilitation of another borehole at Elamasit.
He observed that lack of proper maintenance of such projects negates strides made in development while wananchi are left without basic and essential services expected to come from such projects.
The PS asked the Dasnach community, which has suffered water scarcity for a long time to form community management committees to oversee the day to day running of the boreholes for sustainability.
The PS further said all communities in the country would be treated and served equally in terms of development without considering the endowment in resources and locality. Illeret is situated over 500 kilometers from the Marsabit County Headquarters.
He added that it was through the availability of effective delivery of water services that other important development initiatives like education, health and agriculture could be achieved.
KVDA CEO Sammy Naporos said the authority is committed to prudent use of public resources through delivery of projects within the stipulated time.
He said that the cost of the targeted projects as directed by the PS would commence without delay to ensure that they are completed before the end of this financial year.
He expressed satisfaction that the government is delivering on its promises, adding that availability of water for the Dasnach community would reduce the long distances people had to cover in search of the commodity.
The water project would also help to greatly improve their health besides creating time to concentrate on other productive undertakings like business and attending school.