Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has called on the Kenya Defence Forces to assist in the harvesting of rainwater by constructing earth dams to store the water for the next dry season.
Jama, who chairs the arid and semi-arid lands committee at the Council of Governors, said that the earth pans will come in handy as a stop gap measure.
He spoke when he led a food distribution exercise to Internally Displaced Persons from Mandera and Wajir counties who are camping along the Nunow-Modika road in Sankuri ward to escape the ravages of drought.
Garissa -just like the neighbouring counties in Northeastern - did not receive adequate rainfall during the last October-November short rainy season.
This has had devastating effects with pastoralists loosing hundreds of livestock.
According to the Metrological department, even the March-April rainfall, which is already being experienced in several parts of the region, will be depressed.
“As we expect the rains to continue, we are asking the KDF to help us do some quick earth pans at least to harvest some water,” Jama said.
The governor, who was accompanied by the Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad, among other leaders, said he had already spoken to the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and, together, they were formulating a workable plan on the same.
The county chief said the issue of construction of mega dams is at an advanced stage, adding that the matter has already been handled at the highest level.
Jama further said that CoG has already picked up the matter with the Office of the Deputy President where the matters are handled.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Garissa for the welcome and hospitality they have shown the IDPs as well as the support they have provided to help alleviate the hardship they are facing," the governor said during the distribution exercise.
Siyad said that it feels sad seeing rain waters going to waste when the same can be directed to earth pans.
“Even though we remain grateful to the Almighty for the much-needed rains, it is a shame that we are not utilising the rain water. We seriously need to have water reservoirs," she said.
The woman representative urged residents from the pastoralist counties to share resources in harmony, saying that, as leaders, they will continue working round the clock to assist drought victims.
“As pastoralists we are known as people who love each. We know no borders. We have over the years shared the little resources in peace and harmony like we are doing today," Siyad said.
"Let us be our brothers keeper and help where we can especially during this holy month of Ramadan. As leaders guided by the governor, we will do everything possible to have mitigation plans as time goes by.”
(edited by Amol Awuor)