Government Unveils Major Water Project to Ease Shortages in Northern Kenya
Communities in Tula Tula, Eldas Sub-county, are set to experience significant relief after the government launched a major water project aimed at ending decades of severe water shortages. The Tula Tula Water Project, constructed by the Northern Water Works Development Agency (NWWDA) at a cost of Sh60 million, is expected to supply clean water to more than 12,600 residents. The system will also serve nearby schools, health centres, and livestock, offering much-needed support to communities that have long walked long distances in search of water.
During the official commissioning, Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Eng. Joseph Njoroge said the project is part of the national government’s broader plan to improve water access across Kenya through nine regional water agencies. He noted that NWWDA is responsible for several northern counties, including Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Samburu, Marsabit and Isiolo, where multiple water infrastructure projects are at different stages of development. Eldas MP Aden Keynan welcomed the initiative, saying it would help cushion residents from the effects of recurrent drought.
Local leaders and NWWDA officials highlighted the severity of the water crisis in the region, pointing out that recurring dry spells over the past three years have worsened shortages for both households and pastoralist communities. Agency Chairman Osman Issack said the government plans to drill more boreholes and continue water trucking to grazing zones to safeguard pastoralist livelihoods. He also called on the community to protect the infrastructure from vandalism, saying damage would reverse hard-won progress and delay future investments.
Looking ahead, NWWDA emphasised the need for long-term and sustainable water solutions for arid regions. Issack stressed the importance of harvesting rainwater and constructing larger dams that can support agriculture, livestock keeping, and domestic use throughout dry seasons. The agency said similar projects are in the pipeline, signalling continued government investment in improving water security in northern Kenya.