Hanoi: The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) raised Sh130.8 million to address water crises and restore peace in four counties of Northern Kenya. Governor of Samburu County Jonathan Lati Lelelit, speaking during the inaugural NDMA road race at Archers Post on Saturday, stated that water crises have been a major setback in restoring peace in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Hared Adan highlighted that the road race was designed to involve Morans from the four counties in peace-building through sporting activities while raising funds for drought resilience projects. Adan emphasized the importance of community cooperation, recalling an earlier NDMA peace caravan along the Garissa-Isiolo-Meru borders aimed at reducing drought-related tensions.
Rtd. Col. Adan announced that the community prioritized drought resilience projects, including the Lmarmaroi Rock Catchment Project in Samburu, the Naitutum Water Pipeline Extension Project in Isiolo, the Koija Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Livelihood Project in Laikipia, and the Nauchi Water Project Solarisation and Rehabilitation in Meru, which would commence immediately. These projects are expected to benefit more than 5,000 households and over 50,000 livestock.
NDMA Board Chairman Shallow Yahya underscored that drought resilience should be regarded as an investment rather than pure humanitarian aid. Yahya noted that drought destroys productive assets, disrupts markets, and intensifies competition over scarce resources such as water and pasture. Climate change, he added, impacts ASAL communities severely due to their dependence on climate-sensitive resources.
Rtd. Col. Adan commended the partners, stating that the Road Race was not just a sporting event but a platform to convert public awareness and partnership into tangible investments that bolster water security, livelihoods, peace, and resilience. Key partners included Action Against Hunger, financing 50 percent of the cost of two of the target resilience projects, along with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
The NDMA boss declared, “Drought need not become a disaster when we prepare, invest, and act early.” The inaugural NDMA Road Race featured 10km, 5km, and 2km categories, followed by a public baraza, prize presentation, sponsor recognition, and the awarding of commitment certificates.
