NDMA commissions rehabilitated Arera borehole, to strengthen drought resilience

NDMA CEO Hared Adan during the commissioning of the Arera Borehole in ShantaAbaq Sub-County. / STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Hundreds of families and thousands of livestock in Garissa are set to benefit after the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the county government commissioned a rehabilitated borehole aimed at easing chronic water shortages in the drought-prone region.

The upgraded Arera Borehole in ShantaAbaq Sub-County is expected to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply to about 200 households and 4,500 livestock, replacing inefficient hand-dug watering points that had long exposed residents to water shortages and livestock losses.

Speaking during the commissioning, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Hared Adan said the KSh1.7 million project forms part of the government's long-term strategy to strengthen drought resilience through investment in durable water infrastructure.

“This project forms part of the government's long-term strategy to strengthen drought resilience by investing in durable water infrastructure that reduces vulnerability and dependence on costly emergency response interventions,” he said.

The rehabilitation included the construction of a steel water tower, installation of two elevated 10,000-litre storage tanks, increasing storage capacity to 20,000 litres, construction of four livestock watering troughs and installation of new pipelines and plumbing systems.

According to NDMA, the improved infrastructure will reduce water losses, improve access for livestock and households, and ease pressure on existing water sources.

Adan said the rehabilitation followed repeated appeals from the local community after prolonged drought forced livestock to drink from hand-dug troughs, resulting in significant water wastage.

"Our focus is to reduce the cost of responding to drought by investing in long-term solutions that strengthen community resilience before crises occur. Every resilience investment protects livelihoods, safeguards development gains and reduces future expenditure on emergency response," he said.

The project is part of broader drought response measures funded through the KSh350 million allocated to NDMA in February 2026 to support priority interventions across Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties. The funds have been directed towards rehabilitating strategic water facilities and boreholes, emergency water supply, water storage infrastructure, livestock protection and food security assessments.

Garissa County Chief Officer for Water Mohamed Ibrahim welcomed the partnership, saying the county drilled the borehole while NDMA completed the project by installing storage facilities and livestock watering infrastructure.

He noted that Arera Borehole serves not only Garissa residents but also communities from neighbouring Isiolo and Wajir counties due to its strategic location.

Residents described the project as life-changing after decades of walking long distances in search of water.

"For many years we suffered because of lack of water for both our families and our livestock. We walked long distances with donkey carts searching for water. It affected our children's education because they sometimes had to accompany us instead of going to school. Pregnant women suffered greatly because of the long journeys, and our livestock also endured severe hardships," said resident Aden Noor.

"Today, we have every reason to thank NDMA and the County Government for coming to our rescue. Words alone cannot express how grateful we are because this project has transformed our lives."

Garissa County Chief Officer for Water, Mohamed Ibrahim, speaking to the press./ STEPHEN ASTARIKO