By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
Kenya, 31 August 2026 - Residents of Achinni, also known as Kokoto, in Banisa Mandera County have raised alarm over the lack of reliable access to clean water, saying families are facing serious challenges securing the basic necessity.
Residents in the remote area say they are being forced to travel long distances in search of water for drinking, cooking, sanitation and other household needs.
The water shortage has raised concerns over the availability of essential services in the area, with residents questioning why the challenge continues despite Mandera County receiving billions of shillings in public resources.
Some residents have expressed frustration with elected leaders, saying their concerns often receive attention during election campaigns but little meaningful action afterward.
The residents say the crisis is not about politics but survival, with the shortage affecting households and placing an additional burden on women, children and families who depend on water for their daily activities.
Mohamed Boru, a resident, says communities have been forced to repeat the same story every year: a persistent lack of water and other basic necessities. He is calling on the government and humanitarian organisations to intervene urgently and provide much-needed support to the affected residents.
They are also calling on the Mandera County Government to urgently intervene by developing sustainable water infrastructure, including boreholes, water supply systems and proper maintenance of existing facilities.
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They however appealed to well-wishers and humanitarian organisations for immediate support, while stressing that long-term solutions must come through proper government planning and investment.
Community members say occasional water trucking and emergency assistance cannot provide a lasting solution to the problem and are urging authorities to establish reliable systems that can serve the community throughout the year.
The residents are now calling on county officials to visit Achinni, assess the situation and take immediate action to address the shortage.
They say access to clean and reliable water should not depend on political promises or election seasons, insisting that every community, including those in remote parts of Mandera, deserves access to essential services.