By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
10 December 2025 - Banissa Sub-County, known for being one of Mandera County’s leading producers of milk and honey, is facing a worsening water crisis that now threatens the livelihoods of both residents and their livestock.
Despite the area’s strong economic potential, the entire sub-county continues to grapple with an acute shortage of water.
The only earth pan serving Banissa has significantly dried up due to prolonged drought conditions, leaving the little remaining water to be sold at exorbitant prices far beyond what many households can afford.
Mandera County has already moved into the Alarm drought stage, and experts warn that without immediate intervention the situation could escalate into a humanitarian catastrophe in the coming weeks.
Mr Biashar Mallim, a resident of Banissa, says access to water has become one of the biggest challenges for the community.
“Lack of water has been a major issue in this sub-county. We spend a lot of money just to get this precious commodity,” he said.
Mr Mallim is calling on the county government to urgently rehabilitate the drying earth pan and create sustainable access to clean water for all residents.
“If the county steps in to restore the water pan, it will greatly ease our burden and improve life for everyone,” he added.
Agricultural experts note that Banissa has the potential to become Mandera County’s food basket due to its rich agricultural environment.
However, without reliable access to water, the sub-county’s potential remains largely untapped.
Residents now hope that swift action from authorities will help avert a looming crisis that threatens not only economic gains but also the wellbeing of families and livestock across Banissa.
The Mandera County Department of Water Services has initiated a project to expand and rehabilitate water dams in Banissa Sub-County.
The expansion project includes the rehabilitation and desilting of Banissa Dam, the primary water source for over 2,000 residents.
Mandera County CEC for Water, Mohamud Eda, assured residents that once the work is completed, water distribution will be extended to the town centre, ensuring better access to clean water.
He also announced plans to install underground water systems in the coming weeks as part of a broader strategy to address water shortages across the county.
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The department is doing all it can to mitigate the prolonged effects of the dry spell, with interventions focused on sinking more boreholes with sufficient water volumes for both livestock and people.
Once the department finishes sinking the boreholes, residents will breathe a sigh of relief as livestock and livelihoods will be cushioned by reliable water supply even during the dry spell.
Mr Ibrahim Hussein, another resident of Banissa, said it has been agonising to trek long distances in search of water.
“Malka Mari Game Park in our sub-county is home to a variety of animal species due to the growth of vegetation during the rainy season, but now the sanctuary is losing its glory due to escalating drought conditions,” said Mr Hussein.
He added: “We would not rely on relief food if interventions were put in place for a permanent water solution. In fact, the county government is sinking boreholes in this area and this looks like the only hope for us. If the national government would complement this endeavour, then water shortage will be a thing of the past.”
The water CEC, Mr Eda, says the county government has invested heavily in water, including digging boreholes and trucking water to residents.
Businesses selling groceries in Banissa are the most affected as commodity prices have doubled, with things seemingly getting harder day by day.
Mama Fatuma Mohamed, a green-vegetable seller, says profits from her business are shrinking due to the prolonged drought coupled with hard economic times.
“When River Daua is full of water for irrigation, I go home with KSh 3,000, but now even getting KSh 1,000 is a mountain to climb,” Mama Fatuma says.
In its latest drought update, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) reports that Mandera County has escalated to the Alarm Phase, while nine other counties — Kajiado, Wajir, Garissa, Kilifi, Kitui, Marsabit, Kwale, Isiolo and Tana River — are now in the Alert Phase, requiring close monitoring due to emerging drought indicators and growing risks to food security and water access.
Thirteen counties, including Samburu, Narok, Baringo, Turkana, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, Embu, Nyeri, Meru and Lamu, remain classified under the Normal Phase but are showing a worsening trend.
NDMA notes that several key livelihood zones in these counties are under increasing stress, particularly in relation to water availability and livestock conditions.
According to the update, an estimated 1.8 million people in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) are currently food insecure. The figure is projected to rise to about 2.14 million by January 2026 if the dry spell continues.
