The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Three community elders from Garissa County have appealed to Governor Nathif Jama to urgently address an acute and long-standing water shortage in their area, saying they have yet to benefit from any county-supported water projects since the introduction of devolution.
The elders—Mohamud Hajir, Haret Noor and Mohamed Ahmed—from Korisa location submitted a formal petition to the governor and the county executive committee member in charge of water, calling for immediate intervention.
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In the letter received by the water department, the elders said Korisa residents have not seen any county-funded water development initiatives implemented in their locality since county governments were formed.
They noted that for about two years, the community accessed piped water through support from the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, managed by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), which temporarily eased the water shortage.
However, the supply was interrupted nearly a year ago after a pump broke down. The conservancy, the elders said, has been unable to repair it due to limited resources.
“The cost of fixing the pump is estimated at about Sh300,000, which the community cannot afford because of widespread poverty and limited livelihood opportunities,” the elders stated.
They urged the county government to act swiftly, saying the water shortage remains severe and persistent.
Previously, residents depended on water pans as their main source, but prolonged drought, siltation and poor maintenance have rendered them ineffective, leaving the community without a reliable water supply.
As a result, villagers now rely on water bowsers from Tana River County, which they described as expensive and inconsistent, further straining already vulnerable households.
The elders added that when bowser services are unavailable, women and children are forced to walk long distances to fetch water, exposing them to health risks, worsening sanitation conditions and eroding human dignity.
They also expressed disappointment that earlier appeals to the governor’s office and the county water department have failed to produce a lasting solution.
The community is now calling for the urgent repair of the damaged pump and the implementation of sustainable long-term measures, such as drilling boreholes or establishing a permanent piped water system.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Garissa senator, the Ijara Member of Parliament and the speaker of the Garissa County Assembly.
The elders stressed that access to clean and safe water is a basic human right and urged the county government to ensure Korisa is fairly included in development planning and service delivery.
