By Betty Luke
Kilimani residents in Isiolo County have a reason to smile after Senator Fatuma Dullo and philanthropist Fatuma Mohammud drilled a borehole for them to ensure access to clean water for domestic use.
Ms Dullo said she resolved to seek support to sink the borehole after local elders reached out asking her to intervene following water crisis in the area.
After two past attempts having failed to reach the water table, the third bore fruits.
The ongoing drought has resulting to drying of nearly 90 percent of water sources in the county forcing residents to trek for longer distances in search of the commodity.
“I reached out to a friend who donated the solar panels to help end the struggle that our people have been going through,” said Ms Dullo.
The borehole which will benefit more than 1000 households in the area will rid local women the burden of walking for many kilometres to search for the resource.
“Women and girls have been suffering (due to water crisis) as are required to walk for over three kilometres but we are very grateful that we can now comfortably engage in other activities and save the time we used to spend while searching for water,” said Ms Celina Asipital.
Ms Abdia Gedi said women in the area had developed complications and wounds on their backs for carrying water jerricans for long distances.
The project will also serve the neighbouring villages, mosque and schools among other social facilities.
The Senator accused the county government of failing to provide residents with water for human and livestock use despite setting aside millions in the budget for water related activities.
