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Mandera East residents face severe water shortage, appeal for State intervention

Mandera residents Residents are forced to travel long distances, up to 12 kilometres, to fetch water. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

By Adan Mohamed | Thursday, March 14, 2024

Residents are forced to travel long distances, up to 12 kilometres, to fetch water and return in the evening with limited supplies to last through the day.

Residents of Garbakole village in Mandera East are on the verge of a severe water shortage, which could adversely affect over 1,500 residents.

The primary water sources, such as the earth pan, have completely dried up, leaving locals reliant on water sources that are kilometres away.

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Residents are forced to travel long distances, up to 12 kilometres, to fetch water and return in the evening with limited supplies to last through the day.

Adan Abdi, a resident of the village, expressed concern over the destruction of the earthpan, which can no longer hold water.

He also noted that functioning boreholes in the area were destroyed due to recent floods caused by El Nino rains.

"We used to depend on the few functioning boreholes, but now they are nowhere to be seen as they were destroyed by the recent floods," lamented Adan.

Rehabilitate earth pan

Residents are appealing to NGOs and the county government to rehabilitate the existing earthpan to prepare for future rains.

They urge relevant stakeholders to contribute towards fencing the earth pan, removing excess mud, and installing proper inlets and outlets to capture sufficient rainwater.

"Many people cannot afford to buy water due to the rising cost of living. We request our leaders to intervene and help us access water," Yussuf Abdi, another resident, added.

The Ministry of Water in Mandera County says the county is taking proactive measures to alleviate the water shortage in the area.

The Ministry of Water acquired the ABEM LS2 Advanced Terametre, an advanced groundwater survey device, as part of its strategy to address water scarcity problems. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

CEC for Water Services, Mohamud Eda, highlighted the acquisition of new equipment to resolve the water scarcity issues in most villages.

The new machines are expected to reduce dry boreholes significantly due to their accuracy and precision.

"The county has plans to acquire more boreholes to end the water shortage crisis in the area," he said.

The Ministry of Water acquired the ABEM LS2 Advanced Terametre, an advanced groundwater survey device, as part of its strategy to address water scarcity problems.