KVDA Sinks Six Boreholes to Improve Water Access in Samburu North
Over 9,000 households in Ndoto Ward, Samburu North Sub-County, now have access to clean water following the construction of six boreholes by the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA). The initiative, part of the national government’s drought mitigation program, is expected to also support more than 30,000 livestock and a number of wild animals, providing a critical lifeline for both people and pastoralists in the arid region.
KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos explained that the solar-powered boreholes, which supply water at a rate of 7,000 litres per hour, will benefit multiple villages, including some in neighboring Marsabit County. He highlighted the broader social impact of the project, noting that reliable water access encourages families to settle, improves school enrollment, strengthens nutrition through kitchen gardens, and reduces communal conflicts that often arise over scarce water resources. KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon added that the national government has invested Sh130 million across 12 water projects in Samburu North and Central sub-counties, with six in each area, to ensure communities have close access to clean water for domestic and livestock use.
Local residents expressed relief and gratitude for the new water supply. Florence Nasieku, a Matepes village resident, said women previously walked up to 25 kilometres in extreme heat just to fetch water that lasted only two days. Samburu North MP Eli Letipila lauded the project, describing it as a major step in Bottom-Up Economic Transformation, noting that women can now establish kitchen gardens near water kiosks to improve nutrition and earn extra income. The boreholes, the first water infrastructure in the area since independence, mark a milestone in efforts to stabilize livelihoods and enhance food security in one of Kenya’s driest regions.