Development
The government is implementing a mega development programme in the counties of Marsabt and Turkana aimed at transforming lives and accelerating growth in the poverty stricken region.
The 6 year, Drought Resilience Programme in Northern Kenya (DRPNK) project which is being funded by the Kenya government with the support of the federal republic of Germany at a cost of Sh2.625 billion kicked off in mid-2019. The programme which is scheduled to end in December 2025 is expected to lay firm foundations that transform the lives of over 595,000 people in the two counties.
Speaking at Dambala-Fachana in Sololo sub-county during the launch of the programme the principal secretary for irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho said the project was aimed at supporting local communities whole reel under pressing persistent drought challenges which have been aggravated by climate change.
The comprehensive initiative, CPA Kimotho said entails measures to water harvesting and storage, irrigation, animal health, range management, health services in schools, fodder production and general improvement of infrastructure. In Marsabit county alone, the principal secretary said the expected outcomes were notable with about 255,000 people set to benefit, 5,000 acres of rangeland to be rehabilitated while 10,000 direct and indirect jobs will be generated especially for the youth.
He emphasized on the collaborative efforts between the national and county government towards the success of the project which is expected to drive sustainable development in the region. The launch of the programme which was also graced by Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali and the principal secretary for ASALs Kello Harsama has a major objective of boosting food security through irrigation farming where water pans, dams and boreholes are developed to provide water for crop and feedlot systems.
The PS further underlined the need for teamwork across various agencies that include the state department for ASALs, the national treasury and planning and the county government in order to achieve the much anticipated drought resilience among the local communities.
“This project is aimed at enhanced drought resilience and climate change adaptation in ASAL areas which I can assure that the Ruto administration has committed to achieve” noted the PS CPA Kimotho also led the team on an inspection tour of Kukub water pan rehabilitation by the national irrigation authority at a cost of Sh 45 million where he underscored the potential of the project in putting up to 500,000 acres under irrigation agriculture.
“The government is cognizant of the importance of this project and the programme as a whole in speeding up of the intended development to the benefit of Marsabit residents and I would urge the county government to also release their share of funds for timely progress” he said.
The poverty rates in the targeted counties is alarmingly high at 92 percent and 80 % in Turkana and Marsabit respectively. CPA Kimotho said that the Kenya Kwanza government was keen at strengthening the adaptive capacities of the pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems through expansion and rehabilitation of relevant infrastructure for sustainability.
In his remarks, Governor Ali said the programme was appropriate for the region as it would assist in finding a solution to the water shortage problem and enhance food production in the county which has been allocated Sh 1 billion. Governor Ali said the water harnessing initiatives would go a long way in strengthening the agricultural potential hence enhancing food security which has eluded the region for a long time.
The governor urged locals to continue diversifying the economic activities by embracing crop farming and especially now that an opportunity to practice irrigation was being offered in order to make themselves self –sufficient in food and raise surplus for income generation.
“I am optimistic that this project is going to succeed” he said and called for its fast implementation through observance of timelines so as to realize the desired benefits. The implementation of the project will benefit 340 people in the neighbouring Turkana county where Sh 1.625 has been channeled.