Kenya-Uganda cross-border water project launched to foster peace and development in Pokot
It is a reprieve for residents in remote villages as the Kenya-Uganda cross-border water project is launched to minimize conflicts among border-warring communities in the region.
The multi-million-shilling water borehole drilling project undertaken by Pokot Outreach Ministries (POM) in partnership with Harvesters International organisations will boost clean water supply and improve livelihoods and development in the semi-arid region.
The West Pokot Senator who is also the founder and patron of the POM organization together with officers from the Harvesters International organization from the US launched the project in Uganda. The project is being undertaken along the border of the two countries.
The region lacks water points making herders and pastoral communities migrate from one place to another in search of water and pasture.
More than 20 boreholes have been sunk along the Kenya-Uganda border to end the perennial animosity.
West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor who launched the project at Relinoi village, Amudat District in Uganda noted that the project will also help pastoralists to settle down and engage in development projects and shun engaging in retrogressive practices of banditry and cattle rustling.
He noted that the water project will benefit over 4000 families and 15,000 livestock along the Kenya-Uganda border. He said the project will help avert conflicts due to water.
The senator said the project will reduce prone waterborne diseases in the region.
Benjamin Lopez in charge of the water project at POM organization said that they have drilled many water boreholes in North Pokot, Central Pokot, Tiaty Sub-County, Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan.
Julius Tonaki a resident of Kasuburu village said that there is a lot of livestock in the region and a need for more water points.