Improving Livelihoods in Drought-Prone West Pokot: KVDA’s New Water Access Points to Transform Life on the Kenya-Uganda Border

The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has taken a transformative step to address a pressing issue in Kenya’s West Pokot County acute water scarcity, which has challenged the community for years. Recently, KVDA launched several boreholes and water points in drought-prone areas, especially near the Kenya-Uganda border in Kapenguria, to provide consistent water access for domestic use and livestock. The project, which includes boreholes in areas such as Natira and Lokidatel, targets a region that has long struggled with scarce resources, periodic droughts, and competition over water. The residents, community leaders, and educators alike are optimistic about how these new water points will alleviate burdens on families, reduce conflicts over resources, and enhance education and economic opportunities.

Water Scarcity Challenges in West Pokot

West Pokot’s geography and climate present a stark reality of recurring droughts and limited water resources. The community, particularly in the Riwo area, has had to walk distances of up to 15 kilometers to access clean water for drinking, cooking, and other household needs. This burden has primarily fallen on women and children, with young learners sometimes missing school to assist their families with fetching water. Residents also report that herders have routinely migrated across the border into Uganda, seeking both pasture and water for their livestock, often leading to heightened tension and competition over resources.

As one resident, Regina, shared, “It has been a constant challenge. Many of us spent several hours walking to find water. These new boreholes are a big relief not only to mothers but to the entire community.” Like Regina, countless others across the area have seen firsthand how water scarcity affects daily life, limiting time, resources, and opportunities.

Impact on Education and Local Communities

For local schools like Natirira Primary School, the availability of water has had a significant impact on educational access and quality. According to Joseph Kemoi, the headteacher at Natirira Primary, a stable water supply will help reduce absenteeism among students and increase overall retention rates. With more children able to focus on their studies rather than trekking for water, academic outcomes are expected to improve.

Kemoi notes, “Water within the school premises will not only make life easier for the students and staff but will also encourage more parents to keep their children in school. It’s a game-changer for education in our region.” Schools in the area have long been impacted by water shortages, with teachers often sharing stories of children missing out on lessons to collect water or dropping out entirely due to the demands of supporting their families.

The broader community, too, is set to benefit from the boreholes in ways that go beyond immediate water access. Amos Kapel, a local community member, expressed his excitement over the opportunity to set up small kitchen gardens around the boreholes. This initiative would allow residents to make the most of the available water by growing vegetables, an idea that promises to improve nutrition and supplement the community’s largely livestock-based diet.

Reducing Conflicts Over Scarce Resources

West Pokot has historically been a region fraught with conflicts over limited resources, exacerbated by drought conditions and long-standing ethnic rivalries. These conflicts often arise when herders migrate across borders in search of water and pasture, bringing communities into friction over scarce resources. With the establishment of these new boreholes, KVDA aims to reduce such conflicts by ensuring both local communities and migrating herders have reliable water access within Kenya’s borders.

Dr. Sammy Naporos, KVDA’s Managing Director, emphasized that this initiative would play a significant role in reducing conflicts by eliminating the need for people to travel long distances into neighboring regions. “The new water points will help reduce tensions and mitigate potential conflicts caused by limited resources. As residents have better access to water, we expect fewer disputes and a stronger sense of community stability,” he said.

Naporos added that over the years, KVDA has undertaken numerous water projects across West Pokot and neighboring areas, with this project adding to the authority’s total of 77 water initiatives. His statement underscores the government’s commitment to addressing resource scarcity across drought-prone regions in Kenya. By investing in these water access points, KVDA hopes to foster greater stability and resilience within local communities, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and small-scale farmers.

Supporting Agricultural Activities and Economic Growth

Another key benefit of these water access points is their potential to support small-scale agriculture through irrigation, an activity that was previously difficult to sustain in the region. With water now readily available, residents can consider more diverse forms of livelihood beyond herding, particularly during dry seasons when pasture and livestock health suffer.

Dr. Naporos explained, “This project is part of a larger plan to enhance agricultural activities through smallholder irrigation. We want to see communities moving toward more sustainable practices that can withstand the challenges of climate change and drought.” The aim is to encourage farmers to embrace small-scale agriculture, which can significantly improve household food security and resilience.

Area residents are already optimistic about the impact of these new water sources on agriculture. The kitchen gardens envisioned by locals like Kapel offer a glimpse into a future where communities grow more of their own food, reducing dependence on external markets and improving overall nutrition. By fostering such agricultural practices, KVDA’s water project could help reduce poverty levels in the area and strengthen food security in a region that has traditionally relied on livestock as its primary source of sustenance.

Expanding Drought Mitigation Efforts and Government Support

Mark Chesergon, the Chairman of KVDA, noted that this project represents just one part of the government’s broader drought mitigation strategy. Chesergon underscored the importance of expanding such efforts to more needy regions along the Kerio Valley, where drought conditions have taken a toll on people’s livelihoods and health.

“We are committed to ensuring that drought-prone areas like Riwo Ward are equipped to handle future challenges,” Chesergon stated. He noted that the government, in collaboration with KVDA and other development partners, is keen on rolling out similar projects across regions affected by water scarcity. Through these projects, the government aims to build resilience within communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, while also enhancing local infrastructure and access to essential services.

Chesergon’s comments also highlight the crucial role that government support and funding play in sustainable development, particularly in regions like West Pokot where infrastructure challenges have historically been a barrier to growth. The success of the boreholes in Natira and Lokidatel could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other drought-prone areas, providing a blueprint for how local and national governments can collaborate to address urgent resource challenges.

Conclusion

The launch of these boreholes by the Kerio Valley Development Authority is a turning point for the people of West Pokot. In a region marked by hardship, migration, and competition over resources, these new water access points promise a more stable and hopeful future. They are more than just boreholes; they represent the beginning of improved social and economic conditions, greater food security, and reduced conflicts over resources. By providing water within reach, KVDA is allowing the community to reclaim precious time, invest in their children’s education, and explore new agricultural opportunities that can sustain them through future challenges.

In these boreholes lies the potential for transformed lives, and if successful, this initiative could inspire further efforts to bring lasting change to Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions.