Residents of Longeruk in Pokot North Sub-County are celebrating the construction of their area's first-ever water well, a development that promises to alleviate the perennial water shortages caused by prolonged drought. The water project, initiated by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, aims to improve access to clean water for domestic use and support livestock rearing. The well is expected to ease the burden on residents who have endured months of water scarcity.
The drought in Longeruk has been severe, with the area last receiving rainfall in June last year. This triggered a prolonged dry spell that forced some pastoralists to migrate to neighbouring Uganda in search of water and pasture for their livestock. The situation has been particularly challenging for women, who have had to walk long distances in search of water, often settling for unsafe sources.
Chemkei Kember, a resident of Longeruk, highlighted the struggles faced by women in the area. She noted that the prolonged drought had dried up most rivers and streams that communities traditionally relied on for their water needs. Kember mentioned that the closest place where one can get water is over six kilometres away, adding that the area's mountainous terrain makes it difficult for residents to access water.
The residents of Longeruk have appealed to both the national and county governments to establish more water projects in the marginalised area to cushion communities against recurrent drought. They also urged the government to prioritise the construction of water pans to harvest and store rainwater for use during prolonged dry spells.
According to Cheyech, the government should help construct water pans to store more water when it rains and harvest surface runoff. The drought has severely affected pastoralist communities, with more than 40,000 residents across several villages reportedly facing acute water shortages for domestic consumption and livestock.
The situation has triggered cross-border migration, with pastoralists moving into Uganda in search of water and pasture. This movement has complicated the capture of population statistics and voter registration in the affected areas, as some residents remain away from their homes for extended periods.
The newly constructed well is expected to bring water closer to households, improve access to safe water for schools and health facilities, and help revive livestock production in the drought-stricken area. Residents expressed hope that the project would mark the beginning of sustained investment in water infrastructure to address the region's long-standing water challenges.
Key points
- The water well project was initiated by Pokot South MP David Pkosing.
- Over 40,000 residents are facing acute water shortages in the area.
- The drought has triggered cross-border migration to Uganda.
