The Water Resources Authority has just concluded a three-day consultation forum with county stakeholders in Garissa County as part of the Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Programme(HOAGW4RP).
The workshop, held from January 17th to 19th, 2024, brought together stakeholders from all of Garissa’s sub-counties.
The event commenced with a courtesy call to the County Commissioner for Garissa County, Mr. Solomon Komen Chessut’nde.
Led by the PIU coordinator, Mrs. Agatha Njuguna, Basin Area Coordinator- Tana, Mr. Abdi Omar, and Sub Basin Area Coordinator- Garissa, Mr. Pascal Nzau, the team was warmly welcomed to the region.
The County Commissioner acknowledged the efforts of WRA in enhancing water accessibility in Garissa County through groundwater resources.
He highlighted the significance of this project in addressing water security issues in the northeastern region, especially during times of water conflict.
The workshop was officially opened by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Garissa County Executive Member (CECM) for Water and Environment.
He expressed gratitude for the project’s selection of Garissa County as one of its beneficiaries, and hoped that they would begin to benefit by the end of this year.
He emphasized their willingness to contribute ideas and support, especially during the implementation phase.
CECM Ibrahim highlighted the challenges, including a reduction in groundwater availability, and expressed hope that the workshop discussions would help to address these concerns.
Stakeholders were informed about the HOAGW4RP objectives and workshop agenda, which included identifying priority sub-catchment areas, analysing environmental and social concerns, and selecting nature-based solutions for groundwater protection and conservation, such as managed aquifer recharge infrastructure. Group discussions focused on a variety of topics, including community entry points, potential conflict areas, community-based environmental and social issues, potential land take issues, contractor management, existing gender issues, community conflict resolution mechanisms, and factors to consider for MAR project activities.
Participants also talked about historical indigenous conservation methods used by communities and the importance of incorporating these practices into modern groundwater management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources.
As the workshop concluded on day two, the PlU coordinator, Mrs. Agatha Njuguna expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ active participation and emphasised the need for an open-minded and positive approach towards the project.
She highlighted that more steps and consultations would precede the implementation phase.
The HOAGW4RP is expected to benefit approximately 1.5 million people in Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties.
The programme’s overall objective is to increase sustainable access and management of groundwater in the Horn of Africa borderlands. It is a regional initiative involving Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.
