Red Cross funds water project

 By Ali Abdi

The International Committee of the Red Cross has commissioned a Sh2.85 million water project that will benefit 6,000 people at Gatab in Loiyangalani District, Marsabit County.

"The Mt Kulal project was requested by the community, which was experiencing inadequate water supply because of reduced flow from the natural springs during the dry season," said Joel Ochieng’, an ICRC engineer.

A 108,000 litre pressed steel water tank will be used to collect water from the natural springs in Mt Kulal.

"The water will be reserved for use during the dry season. The pressed tank can store water that can last up to three months," said Ochieng’.

Mt Kulal, located about 160km west of Marsabit town has a height of 2,335m, overlooks Lake Turkana to the west and Chalbi Desert to the east.

It has several springs and thick natural forest that is home to the only species of bird in the world – the Kulal. Monkeys, snakes and other species of bird thrive in this Unesco protected heritage.

Population pressure

However, according to Loiyangalani DC Philip Koima, population pressure had contributed to drying up of the natural springs. It can support a population of 1,500 people but today it has about 10,000 residents.

"Pastoralists from harsher environment moved to Mt Kulal creating pressure on the springs. This project will help locals during drought,’’ said Koima.

"We have been suffering from acute water shortage as we did not have ways of preserving rainwater. This project will alleviate our suffering," said Lydia Laram, a nurse at the Africa Inland Church health centre.

A committee trained on water management will oversee the project. The water will be piped to various points like Gatab Primary School that also got two smaller tanks.

Marsabit suffers from water shortage and with rising population the resource has become scarce.