In a bid to cushion residents from hunger and drought in arid and semi-arid areas, the Government has moved with speed and launched water projects and donated relief food in Morpus area in Pokot South and Sigor Constituency in West Pokot County.
Sigor Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Lochakapong who is also the chairperson of regional development committee in the National Assembly together with Kello Harsama, the Principal Secretary for the state department of Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) said the move will help residents access clean water and for economic growth.
Speaking in Sigor, Harsama said the move is a significant step towards enhancing water access for the community.
At the same time, the PS assessed ongoing development projects under the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) focusing on key initiatives such as the Weiwei Irrigation Scheme and the Morpus Water Project in West Pokot
The PS also donated relief food and opened boreholes in Morpus area in Pokot South and in Sigor area, Pokot Central on Friday.
“We also distributed relief food to address immediate needs while we work on long-term, sustainable solutions,” he said.
At the same time, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong said the projects will be impactful in the area. “We need more water pans and boreholes,” he said.
In addition, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said the projects will improve livelihoods and sustainability in the region.
The PS noted that the Kapsanaiyan Community Water Project in West Pokot County will bring much-needed relief to 350 households and over 40,000 livestock.
“This vital project, implemented by KVDA, will ensure reliable access to clean water, improving livelihoods and boosting resilience in the area,” he said.
He said the Government has used Ksh. 800 million through KVDA to put up boreholes, dams and other water projects in the area within the last two years.
According to the PS, the government has pumped one billion shillings at Weiwei irrigation schemes which have benefited more than 600 families on more than 1000 acres of land in the past 3 years.
“We want people to be self-dependent and engage in planting crops and get farm produce,’ he said.
He also said the Government is planning to open up more than 100 acres of land along the Turkwel River for farmers to use water.
The PS also urged residents to utilize the honey factory by producing honey.
