Wajir water project nears design completion
The government is moving closer to developing a long-term water supply system for Wajir town, with preparatory work substantially complete as authorities work to identify a reliable water source and finalise designs for the proposed infrastructure.
The progress was highlighted during a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and Northern Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer CPA Andrew Rage Eysimkele at Maji House in Nairobi.
During the meeting, Eysimkele briefed the Cabinet Secretary on the Wajir Long-term Water Supply Project, being prepared under the Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP). The preparatory phase has focused on identifying a sustainable source of water for the town and completing the final design report to guide implementation.
The project is expected to address persistent water supply challenges in Wajir, a county in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid region where unreliable rainfall and prolonged dry periods put pressure on available water resources. Households, livestock keepers and businesses depend on dependable supplies to sustain daily activities and livelihoods.
Groundwater remains an important resource in the region, where boreholes provide water for domestic use and livestock. However, identifying suitable sources requires careful assessment of groundwater availability, quality and the ability of aquifers to support abstraction over the long term.
Earlier government planning for Wajir’s long-term water supply included investigations involving exploratory boreholes in Ademasajida and Arbajahan, with Sarman also identified for further groundwater exploration. Such assessments help establish potential sources that could support a more reliable supply system.
Once the preferred source is confirmed, the project design will guide the infrastructure required to convey, treat, store and distribute water to consumers. Effective planning will be essential to ensuring that the system can meet demand while protecting the sustainability of the underlying water resource.
The meeting also reviewed progress on other water and sanitation projects under the agency’s jurisdiction, covering Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties.
Northern Water Works Development Agency oversees the development of public water and sewerage infrastructure across the six counties. Its mandate includes expanding water supply systems and improving sanitation services in communities where limited infrastructure and harsh climatic conditions continue to affect access to reliable services.
Investments in boreholes, water storage facilities, pipelines and distribution networks remain important in strengthening water security across northern Kenya. Improved sanitation infrastructure is equally necessary to protect public health and prevent contamination of existing water sources.
As preparations for the Wajir project approach completion, the next stage will depend on implementation planning, financing and the development of infrastructure capable of delivering a dependable supply.
The proposed investment represents an important step towards improving water security in Wajir, where reliable water services are essential for households, livestock production and economic development. Sustained maintenance and responsible water resource management will be critical to ensuring long-term benefits for the town’s residents.
