MARSABIT, Kenya – A variety of water projects are helping several Kenyan counties.
The goal of these initiatives is to provide water access, sanitation, and connectivity, particularly in regions that are vulnerable to drought or water scarcity.
For instance, North Horr Sub-County in Marsabit County this week witnessed a transformational milestone as Governor Mohamud Ali officially launched the Sustainable Management and Access to Water and Sanitation in the ASALs Programme (SWASAP).
For the community, the launch was a watershed moment when the dream of clean, safe, and accessible water went beyond hope and became a reality.
A Vision Realised
Water scarcity and poor sanitation have plagued North Horr’s arid landscapes for years, impacting innumerable households and testing the community’s resilience. The SWASAP program confronts these long-standing issues head-on, arriving as a ray of hope. The county’s dedication to guaranteeing that every home in North Horr has access to dependable water and adequate sanitary facilities is demonstrated by today’s event.
Key Features of the SWASAP LAUNCH:
Strategic Infrastructure Enhancements:
The programme introduces critical interventions designed to enhance water availability and quality. The spotlight of today’s event was the official handover of the rehabilitated Tiniku Water Supply Scheme, a project that already serves 892 households. The scheme includes modern features like a 100 m³ elevated steel tank, a powerful 14.4 kW solar installation (72 panels) driving a 20 m³/hr pump, and 2.1 kilometres of high-density polyethylene pipelines.
Community-Centric Approach:
The launch echoed the ethos of community-led transformation. Alongside water infrastructure, the SWASAP initiative has integrated vital sanitation facilities, such as the construction of VIP latrines, starting with those built at Helmer Memorial Girls Primary School. Furthermore, the scheme has transformed sanitation behaviors, with 17 villages already being certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF) through Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS).
Among the notable achievements highlighted during the SWASAP launch in North Horr is the completion of the transformative Konon Gos Water Pan — a 30,000 m³ capacity reservoir now serving 295 households. This critical project is fully equipped with fencing and a silt trap to protect water quality, an infiltration gallery and shallow well to support groundwater recharge, and two livestock watering troughs that bolster pastoral livelihoods. It also features two VIP latrines at the local ECDE, promoting safe sanitation for young learners.
Joint Funding and Implementation
This groundbreaking project has been made possible through a robust partnership and joint funding initiative. The County Government of Marsabit, Danida, and the Water Sector Trust Fund have collectively committed their resources and expertise to bringing this vision to life.
Working in close collaboration, these funding bodies have invested significantly in the region’s future, ensuring that the SWASAP project is not only sustainable but also scalable. The execution of this ambitious program is being spearheaded by Concern Worldwide.
The modern infrastructure and community engagement strategies deployed today are designed to sustain and drive long-term progress, ensuring that North Horr continues to flourish as a model for integrated water management and also the beginning of a water renaissance that promises to uplift the lives of thousands, making sustainable progress a lived reality.
This comes when the devolved unit officially commissioned the Sustainable Management and Access to Water Sustainable Management and Access to Water and Sanitation in the ASALs Programme (SWASAP) in Dabel, Moyale Sub County, which is a bold step forward in improving access to clean water and sanitation.
With joint funding from the County Government of Marsabit Danida and the Water Sector Trust Fund and implemented by Concern Worldwide, SWASAP is now a beacon of impact in Dabel, bringing clean water, dignified sanitation, and renewed resilience to thousands.
The commissioning ceremony, led by Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo on behalf of Governor Mohamudi, in the company of County Secretary and Head of Public Service Hussein Tari Sasura and CEC for Water Services Grace Galmo Boru, marked the culmination of a project that proves what strategic partnerships and people-centred development can achieve.
The joint monitoring team — comprising representatives from the Department of Water, Danida, WSTF, and Concern Worldwide—also toured completed project sites, witnessing firsthand how once-parched communities are now thriving with access to safe water and sanitation infrastructure.
