Water for Peace: KVDA Boreholes Transform Samburu North

For years, residents of Samburu North trekked over 20 kilometres daily in search of water for their families and livestock. Today, that struggle is easing thanks to the Kenya Valley Development Authority (KVDA), under the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, which has invested Sh40 million in four strategically placed boreholes.

The newly commissioned boreholes — in Loldepe, Soit Ng’iro, Kilepoi, and Ntil — produce between 1,500 and 4,500 litres of water per hour, providing safe and reliable water for over 10,000 residents and 100,000 livestock.

“Water is life, and life is peace,” said KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos. “These boreholes reduce competition for scarce resources, support pastoral livelihoods, and help communities live in harmony.”

MP Eli Letipila praised the project, saying, “These water points are not just infrastructure; they are foundations for lasting peace. By ensuring residents and their livestock have easy access to water, we are preventing conflicts and creating stability across Samburu North.”

KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon added, “Through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government is providing sustainable water access while supporting livelihoods, schools, and community cohesion.”

For local residents, the impact is immediate. Long treks are now history, children spend more time in school, livestock are healthier, and communities are learning that access to water strengthens peace and secures livelihoods.

The government plans to expand water projects in Samburu North in the coming financial year, reinforcing its commitment to BETA and to promoting sustainable development and peaceful coexistence across the region

By Glory Kae