Fatma Bonaya’s face lights up with joy as she queues with her three children to fetch water from a newly installed kiosk in Modogashe, Isiolo county.
For decades, Bonaya had no choice but to trek several kilometres in search of water—often returning home empty-handed.
“We walk more than 10 kilometres to look for water. It’s the biggest problem we face here,” says the 37-year-old mother of five.
Modogashe and the surrounding villages have long suffered from a chronic lack of reliable water supply, forcing residents to depend on unsafe water sources or pay exorbitant prices to vendors. A 20-litre jerry can of water would cost as much as Sh50—an unbearable burden for many.
That struggle has finally come to an end.
The launch of the water project by the Isiolo County Government has seen the drilling of new boreholes and the distribution of piped water to Modogashe Town and neighbouring villages—bringing clean water to the area for the first time in 61 years.
“After 61 years of independence and decades of neglect, clean piped water has finally reached Modogashe and its surrounding villages,” Governor Abdi Guyo announced.
Two schools, a mosque and some manyattas have already been connected to the new system, marking a turning point for a community that had long felt forgotten.
“What was once a distant dream is now a reality,” Guyo said.
“This is not just a development milestone. It is a moment of dignity, justice and inclusion.”
He described the project as part of his administration’s commitment to equitable development—ensuring no community, no matter how remote, is left behind.
The new water system follows the recent drilling of a borehole and the rehabilitation of another in Modogashe—an effort that has already brought visible relief. It’s part of a broader county strategy to tackle water scarcity across Isiolo.
In March 2024, the governor commissioned three additional boreholes in Akadeli, Daaba Juu and Kakili in Ngaremara ward to further boost domestic water supply.
He has also pledged to invest in modern technologies to improve water sourcing, including tools that assess water depth, quality and quantity before drilling begins.
“We want to avoid wasting public funds on unusable or saline water sources,” Guyo said.
“This modern approach ensures both safety and efficiency.”
The governor emphasised that access to clean water is essential for both social and economic development, particularly in arid regions vulnerable to climate shocks such as drought.
His remarks come in the wake of a prolonged drought that devastated much of the region. During the crisis, residents were warned against using water from River Isiolo for irrigation due to dangerously low levels.
The shortages led to widespread rationing and heightened risks of waterborne diseases, particularly in Isiolo Town and nearby areas.
According to data from the National Drought Management Authority, more than 80 per cent of water sources in the region dried up during the drought, deepening the crisis.
The new water infrastructure now stands as a symbol of resilience—and a promise of a better future for communities like Modogashe that have endured years of hardship in silence.
Instant analysis
The launch of clean piped water in Modogashe marks a transformative moment for a region long plagued by water scarcity. For decades, residents walked over 10 kilometres for unreliable or unsafe water, often paying high prices to vendors. The new infrastructure—part of Governor Abdi Guyo’s broader water strategy—delivers long-overdue dignity, justice, and inclusion. With modern drilling technologies and a focus on sustainability, the initiative not only improves daily life but also strengthens community resilience against climate shocks like drought. This milestone reflects a shift toward equitable development in Isiolo, addressing deep-rooted inequalities that have hindered progress for generations.
