By Issa Hussein - Reporter
June 01, 2026 - Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali has highlighted climate change adaptation as a key pillar of his administration's development agenda, saying the county is investing heavily in community-led resilience projects to shield residents from the growing impacts of drought, floods and environmental degradation.
Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations, the governor said Marsabit was strengthening climate resilience across all its 20 wards through the County Climate Change Fund and the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.
He said communities were directly identifying and prioritising climate investments based on local needs and risks.
"The current climate resilience package includes water pans, boreholes in water-stressed areas, desilting of water pans, livestock breed improvement and restocking, support to women and youth groups in apiculture, mini-irrigation schemes, tree planting and land restoration," said Mr Ali.
According to the governor, the interventions are aimed at improving access to water, restoring degraded land, diversifying livelihoods and protecting livestock-dependent incomes while enhancing food security.
He noted that climate-resilient investments had become critical for Marsabit, one of Kenya's arid and semi-arid counties that continues to face recurrent droughts and weather-related shocks.
Roads projects#
The governor also outlined major road infrastructure projects underway across the county, describing them as essential to improving access to markets, healthcare, education and security services.
Through the ASAL Rural Roads Programme, implemented in partnership with the European Union and the French Development Agency, the county is constructing gravel-engineered roads with drainage systems designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Mr Ali said the first 10 kilometres of the Logologo-Korr road had been completed, while construction of the next 30-kilometre stretch towards Korr was ongoing.
Other projects under implementation include the Manyatta Jillo-Gororukesa road in Saku, the Sololo Town-Mado Adhi-Waye Gotha road in Moyale, and the North Horr-Dukana road.
"We are opening up our vast county and strengthening the movement of people, goods and services," he said.
The county is also upgrading key strategic roads, including the 13-kilometre Sololo-Anona-Golole-Uran road, which is set to be upgraded to low-volume seal bitumen standards.
In Marsabit town, plans are underway to tarmac the corridor linking the Old Slaughter House, Marsabit Market, Dakabaricha, Kiwanja Ndege, War Cemetery and Gof Hotel Junction.
The governor said the combined road investments exceed Sh1.5 billion and are expected to lower transport costs, improve emergency response and support economic growth.
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Health sector gains#
In the health sector, Mr Ali cited the completion of Sololo Level IV Hospital as a major milestone in expanding access to specialised healthcare services in Moyale and neighbouring areas.
He said the county had implemented a health development programme worth more than Sh201 million, covering facility upgrades, medical equipment, maternity services, staff housing, laboratory support, solarisation and water connectivity.
The governor also highlighted continued operation of dialysis services at Marsabit County Teaching and Referral Hospital, reducing the need for patients with kidney disease to seek treatment outside the county.
"We are not only treating illness; we are building a county health system that prevents disease, responds early, protects mothers and children, and serves people closer to their homes," he said.
Other facilities benefiting from ongoing improvements include Loglogo, Kamotonyi, Kurungu, Moyale Level IV Maternity Hospital, Balesa Saru, El Boru Magado, Aibete, Boru Haro, Songa and Karare health centres.
Mr Ali said 1,983 Community Health Volunteers had been placed on stipends through a partnership between the county government and the national government, while vaccine supplies had reached 121 health facilities across the county.
Blood donation campaigns have also collected about 3,000 pints to support transfusion services.
Devolution delivering results#
The governor said devolution had transformed service delivery in Marsabit by bringing government closer to residents and enabling investments in infrastructure, healthcare, water, education and livelihoods.
While acknowledging persistent challenges including water scarcity, climate change and youth unemployment, he said the county was making steady progress.
"We are building resilience against drought, floods and climate shocks. This is the meaning of Madaraka in our time: freedom translated into service and devolution measured by practical progress in the lives of ordinary people," he said.
He also urged residents and political leaders to safeguard peace and unity as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election, warning against divisive politics and clan-based mobilisation.