Wajir County has taken a major step toward strengthening food security and climate resilience after partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) to launch a solar-powered irrigation and water supply project in Bulla Gows, Wajir West. The initiative, unveiled during a community ceremony attended by WFP Kenya Country Director Lauren Landis and Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, features a newly rehabilitated borehole capable of producing 25 cubic metres of water per hour, alongside a solar-driven reticulation system designed to support both irrigation and household water needs. Officials say the project is expected to significantly increase agricultural production in an area long affected by drought and overreliance on pastoralism.
Speaking during the handover, Landis applauded the collaboration between engineers, programme officers and county officials, noting that the initiative leverages Wajir’s abundant sunshine to promote sustainable farming. The project builds on earlier efforts under the Climate Resilience and Sustainable Food Systems Programme, which saw the installation of an elevated storage tank and preparation of demonstration plots for crops such as onions, capsicum and watermelon. Governor Abdullahi emphasized that only 25 per cent of Wajir residents practice crop farming, despite the county’s agricultural potential, and said the administration is working to change that by expanding access to irrigation, increasing budget allocations for agriculture from KSh 45 million to KSh 300 million, and creating market linkages for local produce.
Residents have welcomed the project, saying reliable water supply will reduce the burden on households and encourage more families to adopt crop farming instead of depending solely on livestock. Development partners have also expressed optimism that the initiative will help address persistent challenges such as low production, pest infestations, climate shocks and limited access to farm inputs. As Wajir County rolls out large-scale farms and strengthens farmer cooperatives, officials believe the new water system will be a turning point for food security and economic stability in the region. With WFP promising continued cooperation, stakeholders hope the Bulla Gows model can be replicated across arid and semi-arid parts of northern Kenya.