GARISSA COUNTY, — In the sweltering heat of Modogashe town, a long-awaited sigh of relief has finally arrived. For decades, residents here have lived with the daily uncertainty of water fetching it from shallow wells dug into dry riverbeds or waiting for the next delivery by a government truck or aid agency.
That struggle may now be over.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama this week unveiled a new water supply project set to serve over 30,000 people. Speaking at the launch, Jama called it a turning point for a region long defined by scarcity.
“This project has taken us close to two years, but today, the people of Modogashe finally have water in their homes,” Jama said. “It’s about dignity, health, and giving our people the most basic of rights.”
The system, anchored by four boreholes drilled deep into the Qone plains some 45 kilometres from Modogashe draws from the expansive Lorian Swamp. Water is now piped directly into the town through a newly constructed distribution network. Two large reservoirs, capable of holding 700,000 litres in total, support steady flow and storage.
Until now, Modogashe’s water needs were met by seasonal wells cut into the dry bed of the Togweyn river. These wells, often dug by hand, were unreliable and frequently dried up during prolonged droughts a worsening reality in Kenya’s arid north.
The shortage had consequences far beyond inconvenience. Tensions over scarce water and pasture regularly sparked violent clashes between herders from Garissa and neighbouring Isiolo County. Some of those disputes turned deadly.
But local leaders now hope that access to a stable water supply can help turn the page.
“This isn’t just about Modogashe,” said Lagdera MP Mohamed Hussein, whose constituency includes the town. “We want to extend this lifeline to our neighbours in Isiolo, especially in the Sericho area. We’ve shared land and resources for generations and we want to share this water too.”
Hussein acknowledged past conflicts but insisted that local peacebuilding efforts are taking root. “We’ve sat down as elders, leaders, and administrators from both counties,” he said. “We’ve agreed there’s no going back we must live in peace.”
The Governor echoed that sentiment, but also sounded a note of caution. “We ask the community to protect this infrastructure,” Jama warned. “Anyone caught vandalising this lifeline will face legal action.”
Already, more than 200 households and several public institutions including schools and health centres have been connected to the network. The Garissa Rural Water and Sewerage Company is set to take over operations to ensure continuous supply.
The development comes at a critical time, as Kenya’s northern counties face growing pressure from climate change, migration, and dwindling water sources. Government officials have pledged more investment in long-term drought resilience, but critics say implementation often lags behind promises.
Still, for many in Modogashe, the sound of flowing taps offers a rare moment of hope.
“We never thought this day would come,” said Halima Dube, a local teacher who used to walk several kilometres each day for water. “Now my children can drink, bathe, and go to school clean. That means everything.”
