A 100 million Game-Changer Dam for Moyale's Border Communities.
The state department for the ASAls and regional development PS, Mr. Kello Harsama, toured the ongoing construction of the Somare Dam in Moyale Constituency a landmark KES 100 million project that is set to reshape the lives of over 5,000 households in this arid and underserved border region.
The dam, which will hold an impressive 160 million litres of water upon completion, in conjunction with the Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) under the stewardship of the State Department. It is a strategic investment under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to empower historically marginalized communities and unlock the development potential of Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
A key component of the government’s push to boost rural infrastructure, the Somare Dam is designed to provide sustainable access to water for domestic use, livestock, and small-scale irrigation a critical lifeline for families that have long relied on seasonal rainfalls and distant water sources.
The project features a 10-metre high earth embankment dam, a modern intake and spillway system, advanced treatment facilities, and extensive water distribution infrastructure. This includes solar-powered and grid-supported submersible pumps, elevated tanks, water kiosks, livestock troughs, and community taps all tailored to serve the unique needs of Moyale’s pastoralist communities. The dam site is also being secured with perimeter fencing to ensure sustainability and safety.
Speaking during the inspection, PS Kello Harsama described the dam as a transformative force for borderland communities often sidelined in national development narratives.
“This dam is more than a water project it is a symbol of transformation,” he said. “It reflects our resolve to take development to the grassroots. Through the BETA framework, we are not only bringing services closer to the people but restoring dignity and hope in communities that have long been forgotten.”
He emphasized the pivotal role water plays in driving rural economies, enhancing food security, and promoting peace and cohesion in fragile regions like Moyale, which often bear the brunt of drought, climate shocks, and resource-based conflict.
The inspection comes at a time when the government is scaling up high-impact projects in ASALS counties, reinforcing its commitment to equitable development, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience. The Somare Dam is expected to reduce the burden on women and children who trek long distances in search of water, while also improving livestock health and spurring agricultural activities.
With implementation already in high gear, the dam is poised to become a flagship symbol of the government's renewed focus on marginalized regions anchoring not just water security, but a future of opportunity, prosperity, and lasting peace in Kenya’s northern frontier.
Present we're Eng Ali Ibrahim Managing Director ENNDA ,Engineer Josiah Mulwa ,and Diba Qalicha resident Engineer among other top government officials.
By Joan Ngugi.