The national government, through the Northern Water Service Board (NWSB) has commissioned the Sh61.5 million Libahley water pan in Diiso village, Garissa County.
NWSB Chief Executive Osman Abdullahi said the project will benefit both humans and livestock who have been affected by the drought in Garissa.
Mr Abdullahi said through the project the residents and their livestock will be able to get access to clean and safe drinking water.
The residents have been forced to travel long distances in search of water following its acute shortage in the region and the lack of water has forced them to fetch unclean water from River Tana.
Abdullahi said the water pan is the largest in the Northern region, with a capacity of 150 million cubic metres to serve 25,000 people for six to eight months.
Speaking to the press when commissioning the project, the chief executive said they will also provide water for between 40,000 and 50,000 livestock in the county.
“The government has invested in this region in as far as addressing the perennial water shortage occasioned by severe drought is concerned. The project will save both humans and a huge number of livestock,” said Mr Abdullahi.
Some parts of the region have started receiving rains but Mr Abdullahi said Balambala, Lagdera and parts of Dadaab in Garissa county will continue depending on water tracking because the areas have received inadequate rains.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale thanked the government and the water board for the project.