The Water Resources Authority recently concluded a three-day consultation forum with county stakeholders in Marsabit 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 within Marsabit’s sub-counties.
The event commenced with a courtesy call to the County Executive Committee Member for Water and Environment (CECM), Mr Malicha Boru Wario.
Thereafter, the County Commissioner for Marsabit County, Mr Norbert Jara Komora, led by the PIU groundwater expert, Dr Samson Oiro, Basin Area representative Isaac Karimi, Sub Basin Area Coordinator- Marsabit, Mr Hussen W, Guyo. The team was warmly welcomed to the region.
The County Commissioner acknowledged the efforts of WRA in enhancing water accessibility in Marsabit County through groundwater resources.
He highlighted the significance of this project in addressing water security issues in the northeastern region, especially during times of floods, water conflict between different communities, and human-wildlife conflict.
Norbert Jara Komora, the Marsabit County Commissioner officially opened the workshop.
He expressed gratitude for the project’s selection of Marsbit County as one of its beneficiaries and urged the stakeholders and community to embrace and give full support of the project implementation to reap the benefits.
The CECM, Malicha highlighted the need for all stakeholders to take part initial stage of raising concerns and during the implementation period to ensure clean water for domestic, livestock and small-scale irrigation. This way, the county will be food-secure and avert water resource-related conflict.
The project team informed stakeholders about the objectives of the HOAGW4RP and the agenda for the workshop.
The agenda included tasks like identifying priority sub-catchment areas, analyzing 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.
On day two of the workshop, a team from WRA and the CECM did a courtesy call to the Marsabit Governor, His Excellency Mohamud Mohamed Ali.
The governor expressed his confidence in the team and assured to give his total support to ensure sustainable success in the implementation of the project.
As the workshop concluded on day two, the PIU ground Water expert, Dr Oiro expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ active participation in all the discussions and presentations in coming up with concerns and resolution mechanisms for various issues raised.
