For nearly a decade, the residents of Landi village in Mwatate Sub-County have known only one constant; suffering. The searing heat of Taita Taveta’s semi-arid landscape was made worse by the persistent shortage of water, a crisis that devastated homes, ruined livelihoods, and broke futures.
However, that long nightmare is finally over, thanks to the completion of the long-stalled Josa- Modambogho water project, a development that will now change lives across the villages.
Started over 30 years ago and then left to decay, the Josa – Modambogho water project had become a monument of failed promises. For over nine years, it lay dormant, pushing villagers to trek for kilometers in search of water.
The daily struggle often fell on women and children, whose lives were upended by the basic need for water, a resource that remained agonizingly out of reach despite its abundance underground.
Timothy Makau, a long-time resident of Landi, was among those who bore the brunt of the crisis. “We have had water challenges here for as long as I can remember. The project was forgotten, and our suffering became part of everyday life,” he said.
Now, Makau lauds the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joseph Kennedy and Governor Andrew Mwadime for breathing life into the initiative stating, “It means everything to us. We can now see a better tomorrow.”
For Makau and many others, this is not just about access to clean water. It is a story of stolen childhoods and education dreams cut short. “Young girls would go out looking for water and return with more than just jerrycans. Some came back pregnant,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Joseph Kennedy, the area MCA, has become a symbol of hope in Landi. After being elected in 2022, he made it a personal mission to revive the project.
“The Josa-Modambogho water project had great potential when it was started more than three decades ago. But like many rural projects, it collapsed due to neglect,” he told residents during the official launch of the completed project.
In his first financial year (2022–2023), Kennedy allocated Ksh 2 million towards reviving the initiative, focusing on laying 1.5 kilometers of new piping. The momentum continued in the 2024–2025 budget, where an additional Ksh 2.5 million was set aside to extend the pipeline by another 2 kilometers and repair two of the 11 storage tanks that had fallen into disrepair.
But his efforts didn’t stop there. Through the Joseph Kennedy Foundation, the MCA donated five more pipes and mobilized local youths to work on the project, providing both employment and a sense of ownership.
The water system is projected to serves over 3,000 residents, cutting down the average distance residents travel to fetch water to less than 500 meters, a milestone Kennedy had set as his goal.
“No resident should have to walk kilometers for water. It is not just a health issue, but one of dignity and equality,” he said.
For farmers like Jane Mwaisaka, the completion of the water project is nothing short of a miracle. She stated that, “Before this, I would buy water for up to Ksh 30 per 20 liters jerrican just to irrigate my crops and cook at home. It was expensive, and I was barely making any profit. Sometimes I would walk hours to get just a few liters.”
With water now readily available, Jane sees a future where farming will no longer be a gamble. “I can grow vegetables consistently and even expand my farm. This is the best thing that has happened to us,” she added.
Darius Mwakio, another resident and livestock farmer, shares a similar sentiment. “We were spending more time looking for water than actually tending to our animals. Sometimes, we would lose livestock because we couldn’t get enough water,” he recalled. Now, he’s optimistic. “This area is ideal for livestock. With water, we can now raise animals properly and even think of agribusiness.”
The educational impact of the water crisis was perhaps the most tragic. Kennedy pointed out that many school-going children, especially girls, were missing classes due to the long walks in search of water. In some cases, this led to early pregnancies. “We lost a generation of potential just because we couldn’t provide water,” he said noting that the project is about reclaiming their future.
As the ripple effect of the water project is expected in the area, Moris Mzee, a local elder, praised the county leadership and called for even more investments in water infrastructure.
“We thank the MCA and the governor, but we hope this is just the beginning. Every household should have reliable water. If we can get that, we can grow food, educate our children, and break free from poverty,” he said.
He added that the land in Landi is fertile but underutilized due to water scarcity. He said that with irrigation, they can grow food not just for their homes but even for the market.
Kennedy, for his part, emphasized that water development will remain a key priority during his term. He called on partners, including the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), to fast-track other proposed water projects in the region. “We’ve seen what just one revived project can do. Imagine if we had five more,” he said.
Similar sentiments were issued by the County Executive Committee Member for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Grantone Mwandawiro, who stated that the county government has well established water development plans and that the county government is keen to ensure that the residents can easily access this crucial commodity.
Acknowledging that there have been water challenges in the county, Governor Andrew Mwadime highlighted that the county government is keen in addressing the challenges. He lauded the area MCA for the efforts in addressing water challenges.
“I will support your MCA the best way I can. In any idea meant to help in improving the lives of the citizens, I will support him,” the Governor said.
As the water flows once again through the pipes of Landi, so too does hope — hope for a future where girls stay in school, where farmers thrive, and where residents no longer count distance in kilometers walked for water but in how far their dreams can now reach.
