By Alloys Musyoka
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and County Government of Kwale have unveiled a KSh 24 million strategic water investment to strengthen drought resilience, enhance water security, and improve livelihoods in one of the county’s drought-prone areas.
The 7.7 kilometers Taru-Roka-Egu-Kwa Kalinga Water Pipeline Extension Project, implemented by NDMA with funding from the European Union and in collaboration with the County Government of Kwale, will ensure reliable water services to over 3,300 people and 5,000 livestock across five villages in Taru location.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani described the project as a transformative investment in the county’s resilience and socio-economic development.
“This project is a major milestone in strengthening water security and protecting livelihoods in Mackinnon Road Ward. It will significantly ease the burden on families, especially women and children, while supporting livestock-based livelihoods that are central to this area’s economy. “she said.
Taru residents welcomed the project saying it is going to change their lives for the better after suffering for decades.
“We have suffered looking for water many kilometers wat from our homes and spending a lot to buy but this project has taken away all that baggage we really appreciate NDMA and governor Fatuma Achani administration,” said Elizabeth Ndoro from Egu village.
John Kalinga also a resident said that they were spending over 400 to buy water daily noting that the project will not allow them to focus on other development programs for their families.
“Even children were forced to remain at home to look for water but now they can go to school like others,” he said.
The Governor was in the company of Deputy Governor Hon. Chirema Kombo, NDMA Board Chairman Mr. Shallow Yahya and Board Members Ms Leah Sambai and Mr. Ahmed Bishar, CEO Lt Col (Rtd) Hared Adan and Deputy Government Spokesperson Ms. Mwanaisha Chizudga among others.
The intervention was prioritized following a participatory Disaster Risk Assessment conducted in 2023, which identified chronic water insecurity as the highest-ranked drought risk requiring urgent action.
NDMA Board Chairman Mr. Shallow Yahya said the project demonstrates the practical meaning of drought resilience on the ground.
“This is what resilience looks like in real terms: shorter distances to water, lower costs for households, improved public health, better school attendance, and reliable access for livestock even during prolonged dry periods.”
The project includes a 7.7-kilometre high-density pipeline, a 60,000-litre underground ferrocement storage tank, a solar-powered pumping system, three water kiosks, four communal 1 water points, four cattle troughs, two motorcycles for routine operation and maintenance and system maintenance equipment.
NDMA CEO Lt Col (Rtd) Hared Adan said the intervention was deliberately designed as a drought risk reduction investment rather than a routine infrastructure project.
“The recent drought conditions across many ASAL counties reminded us once again that when rains fail, water becomes the first pressure point. By investing early in resilient infrastructure, we are reducing vulnerability, lowering future response costs, and protecting livelihoods,” he said.
The project integrates climate-smart innovations, including solar-powered pumping to reduce operational costs and carbon emissions, as well as a pilot automatic water dispensing system to strengthen accountability, minimize water losses, and improve revenue collection for sustainable management.
Ms. Chidzuga lauded NDMA for ensuring national government projects reach citizens at the local level.
Already, the project has significantly improved water access, with household water trekking distances reduced to less than 500 metres, while livestock watering distances have reduced from over 5 kilometres to less than a kilometre. Water tariffs have also dropped from KSh 10 to below KSh 5 per 20-litre container.
The CEO appreciated the European Union for its longstanding support to drought risk management in Kenya and praised the Taru Egu Water Users Association (TEWUA), the County Government of Kwale, and community leaders for their role in ensuring sustainability and local ownership.
