For women in Kamboe Manyatta, a bustling village about 30 kilometres south of Marsabit in northern Kenya, mornings have always been dedicated to fetching water. It is a tradition that has been carried from generation to generation, just like the precious commodity, the only difference being how much time is spent fetching it.

A few years ago, up to three hours were hived off each day for a single journey to fetch water. Many times, more than one journey was required.

Dere Bulo, a mother of two who lives in Kamboe, tells us she used to leave home at 6am for the downhill journey to the nearest well. “The journey to the well was manageable because the jerry cans were empty and it was a downhill walk,” she said.

The trip back was an uphill task – literally. Many times Dere had to carry two 20-litre jerry cans, one on each hand, on the gravity-fighting journey back home. “It was a backbreaking task that I had to do up to three times a day so that I could have enough water to cook, wash and clean for my family.”

But today, there is no need to make the arduous journey.

The Water Has Come to Us

Within Kamboe Manyatta is a massive concrete water tank set up by the Marsabit County Government. Around the tank are tens of colourful jerry cans, each belonging to women and children who have come here to fetch their fill of the precious commodity. To get the water to the tank, FH Kenya installed a solar pump at the well the women used to walk to, ensuring that as sure as the sun shines in Kamboe – and shine it does – there will always be water flowing in Kamboe Manyatta.

“Nowadays, all I have to do is walk a short distance to the well, get the water I need and return home. The entire process takes just a few minutes, affording me more time to do other things that matter,” said Dere. “I’m grateful for the solar pump because today, I can spend more time parenting my children.”

Dere’s is the story of the many women living in Kamboe who are now spending more time with their families and doing the things that are closer to their hearts because instead of going for the water, the water has come to them.

Kamboe Borehole

The dust never settles at Kamboe Borehole. Thousands of hooves are always kicking it up, lifting a thin brown curtain that is carried by the wind, making it visible from very far. From morning to evening, around 3,000 goats, 500 cows and 100 camels come here to drink to their fill before returning to the grazing fields around Marsabit.

Around the water troughs, the bleating of goats is interrupted by cow bells and the piercing whistle of their herders, each taking his turn to direct his cattle to their dedicated water troughs. There is one for goats and another for cows and camels. The only time the livestock are together is during their arrival and departure.

Kamboe Water Committee

Joining the livestock and herders in kicking up the dust at Kamboe are Water Committee Members like Johnson Lemor, moving from trough to trough making sure the order is maintained and everyone is getting their fair share of water.

“One of our biggest tasks is scheduling who drinks and fetches water when,” Johnson explains. “Herders come from far with hundreds of livestock, each animal thirsty for a sip. But we need to ensure they get in line and wait their turn because someone else arrived here before them.”

Johnson is like a traffic marshal, and by looking at the discipline that is present at Kamboe Borehole, he is doing a great job.

Johnson is thankful that maintaining the order now is easier than in previous years. “Before 2018, there was only one trough from which people from the nearby Kamboe Manyatta and livestock fetched and drank from. Everyone wanted to drink at the same time making this a very chaotic place to be.” This led to a growing number of altercations over water.

In 2018, FH Kenya implemented the construction of livestock water troughs and consumer water points to help bring order to water access at Kamboe.

“They also installed a solar system which pumps water to the troughs and to Kamboe Manyatta so people no longer have to come here to get water; it comes to them right in the Manyatta.”

Installation of the solar pump has also benefited them financially. “Previously, we used a diesel generator that would run throughout the day. Getting water was a costly affair because the price of diesel is always going up. But nowadays, thanks to solar, we can get water without having to run the generator. We only run it on cloudy days.”

With enough water for livestock and residents in Kamboe, the Borehole is now a peaceful place. Gone are the days of fights over water or thirsty calves being trampled on by thirstier camels desperate for a drink. And with Johnson and other Water Committee Members working hard, the peace is here to stay.