Beyond Drought: New Water Projects Bring Hope to Mandera Communities

By Adan Mohamed - Reporter

Kenya, 7 July 2026 - Mandera County, drought has become more than a seasonal challenge year of below-average rainfall have steadily reduced access to safe water, forcing thousands of families to travel long distances in search of one of life's most basic necessities.

As drought tightened its grip on northern Kenya, families from Mandera West and Mandera South travelled as far as Tana River County in search of water for their livestock.

For many households that depend on pastoralism, protecting their animals meant protecting their livelihoods.

For pastoral communities whose livelihoods depend on livestock, shrinking water sources have not only threatened household welfare but have also placed immense pressure on grazing areas, increased the cost of living, and heightened competition over scarce natural resources.

As climate shocks become more frequent, attention is shifting from emergency relief to long-term investments that can help communities withstand prolonged dry spells.

That shift is now taking shape in Sarohindi and Farey, Mandera East constituency where two major water infrastructure projects have been completed to improve access to reliable water supplies and strengthen community resilience against future droughts.

The two villages were among the hardest hit by drought, as dwindling water sources forced pastoralists and many residents to seek water in neighbouring counties, threatening livelihoods that depend heavily on livestock.

Local NGOs such as Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance(RACIDA) the ELEVATE Africa Project with support from IOM Kenya and funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) stepped up by rehabilitation of the Sarohindi Underground Water Tank and the upgrading of the Farey Water Supply System which was handed to the local communities for management and maintenance.

For residents of Sarohindi, the restored underground tank represents far more than improved infrastructure; it offers renewed hope during increasingly harsh dry seasons.

Mohamed Omar a resident said: “When the rains fail, water becomes our biggest challenge. Families are forced to travel long distances, and livestock suffer because there is not enough water."

He added: "The rehabilitation of this underground tank means we can now store more water when it rains and have enough to sustain us during the dry months."

In Farey, improvements focused on making water more accessible and reliable for households.

More from Kenya

Live updates : Saba Saba Day

Pressure Mounts to End 14-Year Court Block on Lake Kanyaboli Conservation

The upgraded system includes solar-powered pumping equipment, expanded water storage facilities, new pipelines, elevated storage tanks, and additional community water points aimed at reducing the distance residents travel to fetch water.

The investment made by these local and international NGOs intends to improve the reliability of water supply while reducing the vulnerability of communities to recurring drought.

“Climate change is making droughts more frequent and severe. Investing in durable, community-managed water infrastructure helps families prepare for future shocks instead of relying solely on emergency interventions," said Sabdow Dakane from IOM Kenya.

Beyond providing clean water, the projects are expected to support livestock production, improve household livelihoods, and reduce pressure on existing water sources.

Racida Mandera coordinator Abdi Dakane said “access to reliable water is also expected to lessen the burden on women and children, who often spend hours each day searching for water during prolonged dry periods”

While acknowledging that two projects alone cannot solve Mandera's long standing water challenges, development partners and local leaders believe they represent an important step toward building stronger and more drought-resilient communities.

For many residents, the improved water systems symbolize more than infrastructure; they offer renewed confidence that with sustained investment, local participation, and effective management, communities can better cope with future climate shocks and secure a more stable future.

The projects were implemented under the 24-month ELEVATE Africa Project, which is working in Mandera East and Lafey to improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods, and build the capacity of communities to respond to climate-related and socio-economic challenges.