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Public urged to back Sh63.5B plan to tackle water crisis and floods in ASAL counties

Andrew Rage, CEO Northern Water Works Agency during the stakeholders meeting. Photo: Issa Hussein

By Issa Hussein | Friday, June 7, 2024

Several stakeholders raised concerns about gender mainstreaming, external stakeholders' involvement in the proposed projects and public engagement to avert risks of projects failing at the implementation stage.

The public has been asked to support massive government initiatives that would assist in ending the water problem in both rural and urban regions and lessen the effects of floods.

Speaking at a meeting where the Northern Water Works Development Agency presented a Sh63.5 billion five-year strategic plan for validation to support water projects in six ASALs counties, Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabodza stated that many important projects were failing due to a lack of public goodwill support.

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He referenced the projected Sh1 billion Rahole canal in Garissa, which was part of the five-year strategic plan seeking confirmation as part of the government's efforts to mitigate the impact of the recent floods, which displaced 35,000 people in Garissa and swamped farmyards.

“This project failed some years back after communities in the project area opposed it. It is part of a greater solution where the government can address the floods that were causing havoc, it will also help to end the water crisis in areas where the livestock farmers were facing persistent water challenges,” he said.

He added, “We cannot blame leaders for our misfortune and at the same time oppose projects that would help to alleviate problems.”

The county commissioner also called on state and nonstate organizations to prudently use the public funds for their intended projects.

The CEO of the Northern Water Works Development Agency (NWWDA), Andrew Rage, said that the megaprojects envisioned in the strategic plan, which aim to address the water crisis in the Asal counties and further promote livelihood projects, include the Sh7 billion Kubi Qallo and Sh3 billion Badasa dams in Marsabit county, the Sh1 billion Rahole canal in Garissa, and the Sh3.5 billion Bute dam in Wajir.

He reiterated the need to ensure the Rahole Canal project was successful in reducing the impacts of floods that were causing disaster in Garissa County.

“It is all about diverting excess water during floods to areas where the water will be utilised to overcome water shortage,” he said.

Nasri Sahal, the NWWDA board chairperson, urged members of the public to actively participate in the successful implementation of the proposed water projects.

She noted Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Mandera, Samburu and Marsabit counties will benefit from proposed projects that will address water and sanitation challenges in the rural and urban areas.

Various stakeholders from the project area counties provided feedback on the five-year 2024-2028 strategic plan.

Abdullahi Sora, Managing Director of the Isiolo Water and Sewerage Company called for fair and equal distribution of the resources.

He also urged the strategic plan committee to be specific on the number of targeted populations in the proposed projects.

Paul Leringato, the Managing Director of Samburu Water and Sewerage Company also emphasised risk mitigation measures on some of the proposed mega-dams.

Several stakeholders who spoke raised concerns about gender mainstreaming, external stakeholders' involvement in the proposed projects and public engagement to avert risks of projects failing at the implementation stage.

NWWDA strategic plan committee responded to some of the raised concerns assuring the stakeholders of consideration.