Karantina Borehole Brings Relief to Marsabit Families
Karantina Borehole Brings Relief to Marsabit Families
More than 450 households in Marsabit town will soon benefit from the Karantina water project. The borehole was implemented by the Kenya Red Cross Society and funded by Airtel Money Kenya Limited.
Located in Saku sub-county, it aims to improve access to safe and reliable water for families affected by drought in Northern Kenya.
The project not only involved drilling the borehole but also carrying out vital infrastructure works. These included constructing masonry tanks, extending pipelines, building watering troughs and kiosks, and installing prepaid meters.
As a result, both households and livestock are expected to enjoy sustainable water supply.
During the commissioning, Marsabit County Deputy Governor Solomon Riwe commended the initiative and urged residents to protect it. He emphasized that safeguarding the project would ensure long-term benefits.
Moreover, he expressed gratitude to Airtel Money Kenya and the Kenya Red Cross Society for their continued interventions aimed at building resilience and offering relief.
Karantina Borehole Brings Relief to Marsabit Families
Expanding Access Across Northern Kenya
Beyond Marsabit, the partnership has rehabilitated four additional water sources in Loosuk, Lojorin, Bendera, and Loltulele in Samburu County. Consequently, more than 1,950 households in drought-affected areas now enjoy improved access to safe water.
Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director, Anne Kinuthia-Otieno, noted that the company’s growth is tied to uplifting communities. She stressed that the Karantina borehole would be a source of health, opportunity, and dignity for the community. Furthermore, in 2022, Airtel Money donated KES 50 million to support drought response efforts that reached over 5.1 million people across the country.
Kenya Red Cross Society Governor Hon. Geoffrey Korir thanked Airtel for its support and emphasized the need for sustainability. In his view, stakeholders should focus on expanding water use through irrigation projects to maximize long-term impact.
A Pressing Challenge
Despite such efforts, Kenya continues to struggle with economic water scarcity. Currently, only 15% of the country’s water resources are fully developed. In Northern Kenya especially, unpredictable rainfall and frequent droughts make access to clean water one of the region’s most urgent development challenges.
