Thousands of pastoralists from Uganda’s Karamoja and Kenya’s Turkana County face a deepening water crisis after Kobebe Dam, a key cross-border water source, dried up.
The dry dam has forced herders to trek longer distances for water and pasture, raising fears of more livestock deaths and worsening livelihoods.
Local leaders blame prolonged drought, poor maintenance, vandalism and damaged control valves for the crisis, saying better management could have eased the impact.
Speaking at a cross-border meeting, Kenya’s Special Peace Envoy John Munyes thanked Ugandan communities for hosting Turkana herders despite pressure on resources.
“There is no water in Kenya, but you, our brothers, have water. Our only hope is to push into Kotido and Kaabong,” Munyes said, calling for continued cooperation.
Turkana Economic Adviser Mzee Ichor Imana termed Kobebe a vital lifeline and urged joint efforts to protect and expand shared water sources.
“We appreciate the hospitality of our Ugandan brothers, but we must now work together to protect, maintain and expand such water sources,”Imana said.
Uganda’s Minister for Karamoja Affairs Dr. Lokii John Baptist said the government will rehabilitate the dam and extend its livestock vaccination programme to Kenyan herders legally grazing in Uganda.
Officials said community maintenance has started, but urgent intervention by both governments is needed to rehabilitate the dam and prevent further losses as the dry season continues.
