By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, January 14, 2026 - As debate continues over how devolution funds have been spent by governors from the North Eastern region, three elders from Korisa Location have petitioned Garissa Governor Nathif Jama over an acute water shortage, saying no county-funded water projects have ever been initiated in their area.
The elders — Mohamud Hajir, Haret Nasteh Noor and Mohamed Dahir Ahmed wrote to the governor and the County Executive Committee member in charge of water, calling for urgent intervention to address the crisis. In their letter, received by the Water Executive on January 8, the elders said that since the establishment of county governments, their community has never benefited from any devolved water development projects.
The petition comes amid heightened debate sparked by remarks from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who in recent days alleged that some North Eastern governors had misappropriated devolved funds and invested in high-rise properties in Nairobi’s affluent neighbourhoods.
His comments have fuelled renewed scrutiny over the management of devolved resources in the region, with critics claiming that significant portions of county allocations have not translated into tangible development on the ground. “We write to bring to your urgent attention the prolonged and severe water shortage facing our community and to request immediate intervention by the County Government,” reads part of the letter seen by The Standard.
Historically, residents of Korisa Location relied on water pans as their main source of water. However, the elders said these pans have become unreliable due to prolonged droughts, siltation and years of neglect, leaving the community without a stable source of clean water.
For the past two years, residents had been receiving piped water through support from the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, run by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT). The initiative, they said, significantly eased the water crisis. “Unfortunately, for the past one year, the pump supplying this water broke down and has remained faulty. The conservancy has been unable to repair it due to resource constraints,” the elders wrote.
They estimated the cost of repairing the pump at about Sh300,000 — an amount they said the community cannot raise due to widespread poverty and limited livelihood options.
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As a result, residents have been forced to rely on water bowsers travelling long distances from Tana River County, charging fees that many households cannot consistently afford. The elders said this has significantly worsened the suffering of the community.
Women and children, they added, are often forced to walk long distances in search of water when the bowsers are unavailable, while sanitation conditions have deteriorated, putting health and human dignity at serious risk. “We have previously approached relevant offices, including the Office of the Governor and the County Department of Water, seeking urgent assistance. Despite these efforts, no lasting solution has been implemented,” the elders stated.
They are now demanding the immediate repair of the faulty pump and the implementation of sustainable, long-term water solutions such as drilling boreholes or establishing a permanent piped water system.
In a copy of the letter sent to the Garissa Senator’s office, the Ijara Member of Parliament and the Speaker of the Garissa County Assembly, the elders emphasised that access to clean and safe water is a basic human right.
“The residents of Korisa Location deserve equal inclusion in county development planning and service delivery. We sincerely hope that this petition will receive urgent consideration and prompt action,” they wrote.
