NDMA supplies water to Pokot residents affected by drought

NDMA officers next to a tanker used for supplying water to the drought hit areas in Kapenguria, West Pokot County on March 14, 2017. The authority is intensifying water trucking to areas worst hit by drought. PHOTO | OSCAR KAKAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • NDMA has put in measures to mitigate the effects of drought in the arid area by supplying water using tankers.
  • The areas benefiting from the water trucking services are Alale, Masol, Kiwawa, Suam and Kasei.
  • West Pokot NDMA Coordinator Gabriel Mbogho said that the drought in the county has reached an alarm stage.

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has started a water a trucking programme in West Pokot County in a bid to cushion residents from the drought that has hit the region.

The authority has put in measures to mitigate the effects of drought in the arid area by supplying water using tankers.

Most herders have migrated to Uganda with 80 per cent of their livestock in search of water and pasture.

The areas which are benefiting from the water trucking services are Alale, Masol, Kiwawa, Suam and Kasei.

Speaking to journalists in Kapenguria, West Pokot NDMA Coordinator Gabriel Mbogho said that the drought in the county has reached an alarm stage.

“We have two lories from the Ministry of Water which have started supplying clean water to the affected areas.

“We are also taking water to institutions like schools and hospitals where residents can easily access it,” said Mbogho.

LIVESTOCK DIE

He said livestock have died due to drought adding that there is water shortage in the county and that 30 tanks have been taken different places to supply the commodity.

“We started distributing drought pellets two weeks ago and [we have] so far distributed 15 tons for 2000 animals and 4000 hay have been given out,” he said.

He also said t that they are rehabilitating water pans and boreholes which have dried up in the area.

Mr Mbogho said the authority has also started a health and nutrition programme in far flung areas.

“We have sponsored nurses from the Ministry of Health who are dealing with children under five years and pregnant mothers who are not able to reach health facilities which are far from their homes,” he said.