Balambala MP Abdi Omar Shurie who has launched a drought mitigation programme for his constituents. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Balambala MP Abdi Omar Shurie has launched a drought mitigation programme for his constituents that will see residents hard hit by the current long dry spell supplied with water. Speaking in Nunow, Balambala constituency, Shurie said the current extended drought due to the failed rainfall that was expected in December has affected over 80 percent of the residents who are now dependent on water tracking and relief assistance. “We were hoping that we could have received the December short rains to relief us but we are now back to square one. We shall continue with tracking that has been going on since August last year until we receive the rains,” Shurie said. The MP said that several herders crossed over to neighbouring counties of Meru and Isiolo in search of water and pasture for their livestock. Shurie said families left behind most of them the elderly, children and mothers have been left to fend for themselves. ”We want to support the human life since the herders have moved to far flanked areas. The programme will take care of the women and children left in the villages,” Shurie said. The programme that sees over 30 water storage tanks with a capacity to between 5,000 and 10,000 litres distributed to villages along the Garissa - Modogashe road will be supplied on a regular basis by two water bowsers. The MP emphasized he was working closely with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the county government and other donors to ensure that other relief assistance among them food and animal hay are availed to cushion the drought victims. He said there are other programmes that will be launched soon to find a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage in the area that will include the sinking of boreholes. Area sub-county deputy commissioner Rashid Kwanya warned some the teachers who have not reported for duty because of the prevailing drought. Kwanya said he will follow up with TSC and director of education to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action are taken against the rogue teachers.*Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in (insert name of your county) that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by Joining this group, and have it published*https://chat.whatsapp.com/59kghxroduBDqGcr6GgrUC