Residents bemoan water shortage in Isiolo

The scarcity of water in Isiolo county has become a problem despite the supply from the central government and that of devolution to implement water projects to benefit the people.

Residents have to walk about five kilometers to find water and food, a situation that has also affected their children's education.

The water project funded by the Northern Works Development Agency [NWDA] and the county government, which was expected to benefit 12000 people, has not yet been able to solve the water problem.

Many counties in the North Eastern region are suffering from this problem which has also contributed to a large number of livestock deaths.

According to a report issued by the drought management council [NDMA], in July this year, it showed that in the months of July, August, September, and October, many places would witness a decrease in water levels, which has mainly contributed to residents walking long distances to find water and food for household use as well as feeding their livestock.

The report also revealed that the winter, strong winds, and extreme heat witnessed in this part, have been greatly influenced by climate change.

Ahmed Dida is a resident of Isiolo county who has always been angry due to the drying up of wells and water sources. She says that even if there is water, the queues are long forcing others to return home late as long as they get even one gourd.

"All the wells are dry, it only rains once in a while. Mothers stay late at the well until midnight because there are many people," Dida says.

Isiolo County has a total population of over 268,002 and among the affected areas are Malkadaa and Mulesa.

It should be remembered that among the four best policies of the government leaving power after the case in the Supreme Court was completed, it was to ensure that every Kenyan benefited from water projects, industries and even the construction of hospitals. But now after ten years of administration, despite launching development projects, residents in various areas have not benefited directly.

Residents of this area are urging the next government to consider the issue of water and inflation of commodity prices to enable them to avoid unnecessary problems such as malnutrition, cholera and typhoid fever.

Many say that the new government should fulfill its promises that were promised during the campaign season for the main elections this year. They are calling on their representatives to present bills in parliament or in private organizations to provide emergency aid and also to start sustainable projects.