The Rigdam Integrated Water Infrastructure Project has been commissioned and formally handed over to the residents of Maalimin and surrounding areas in Lagdera subcounty, Kenya. This project brings relief to communities that have faced water scarcity for years. The new infrastructure, funded by the European Union through the DCADR project, was implemented by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the Garissa County Government, and the Rigdam community.
The project features a unique dual-source design, consisting of an eight-kilometre pipeline extension connected to a borehole and a dedicated water pan. This allows residents to draw from the water pan and rely on the pipeline extension to the water kiosks when the pan dries up. The infrastructure includes two water kiosks, each fitted with a 10,000-litre tank, and serves around 8,000 households, roughly 4,800 people, alongside 11,700 livestock daily.
The project, costing approximately Sh25 million, eliminates the need for expensive government emergency water trucking. NDMA chief executive officer Hared Aden highlighted the importance of the project, stating that it provides a reliable water supply and reduces competition over scarce resources. He urged residents to take ownership of the facility, protect its perimeter fence and cattle trap, and harvest rainwater during wet spells.
The community will receive management training and may introduce a small maintenance fee to cover repairs, such as pipe leaks, following the defect-liability period. NDMA will continue monitoring the site and provide desilting support every two to three years as required. Improved water access is expected to build peace across Modogashe ward by reducing competition over scarce resources.
A resident of Maalimin, Hussein Mohamed, praised the transformation brought about by the project, stating that it has reduced the burden on families and ended inter-community clashes over water. The project is seen as a lifeline for the community, providing a reliable source of water for domestic and livestock use.
The project is a collaborative effort between the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the Garissa County Government, and the Rigdam community, with funding from the European Union through the DCADR project. The NDMA CEO, Hared Aden, emphasized the importance of community ownership and maintenance of the facility.
The Rigdam Integrated Water Infrastructure Project is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of residents in Maalimin and surrounding areas, providing a reliable source of water and reducing the risk of drought and conflict. The project's success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders involved.
Key points
- The project provides a reliable water supply to 8,000 households and 11,700 livestock daily.
- The project was implemented by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the Garissa County Government, and the Rigdam community.
- The project was funded by the European Union through the DCADR project.
