By Mvoyi Athuman
Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has officially launched the rehabilitation project of the Mabogi water dam project at Ndauni in Ndavaya Ward, Kinango Sub County.
The project aims to address water challenges and enhance agribusiness through irrigation in the region. Kinango is among areas that has continued to experience long dry seasons with availability of dam water being a game changer to farmers.
The Mabogi water dam project is funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) program through the County’s Department of Land, Environment, and Natural Resources.
Once completed, the dam will have a storage capacity of 15,000 M³ of water and is expected to benefit over 270 families in Ndauni A, Ndauni B, and Dudu villages by providing water for domestic use, livestock, and irrigation.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Fatuma Achani promised to solve the water challenges facing the semi-arid regions within the county, including Lungalunga, Kinango, and Samburu.
She also pledged to reduce the impacts of climate change and urged residents to collaborate with the county government on development projects and avoid divisive politics.
“We have realised that the only way we can solve the water shortages in Kinango and the rest of the semi-arid areas is through the Construction of many dams,”said Achani.
Some of the water dams that have been successfully constructed by the County include the Nyalani (Puma), Kizingo (Macknon), Shauri moyo (Samburu Chengoni), Bofu (Kasemeni) and Kilibasi dam in Macknon road Ward.
Locals living in the areas have embraced irrigation systems ensuring consistent food production during dry and rainy days seasons.
On his part, Ndavaya Ward Representative Ali Beja Mwauchi assured that through the County Assembly of Kwale, they will collaborate with the County Government to ensure that all development projects reach the grassroots.
Masha Chiponda Ruwa, a resident of Ndauni, appreciated the arrival of the project, saying it will help to solve famine in the area through agriculture.
“We have already set aside 80 acres of land to do agribusiness and I believe this dam will help us in the production processes.” Said Ruwa.
As the County continues in finding permanent solutions for the drought that have been a challenge for decades, more than 20 large and medium-sized water dams have been constructed, drilled over 40 boreholes, and laid about 573 kilometers of water pipes extension across the County.
Additional information by Alloys Musyoka
