Badasa and Leyai/Songa residents work together to restore shared water source

By Silvio Nangori

Residents of Badasa and Leyai/Songa in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County, are strengthening peaceful coexistence through a joint initiative aimed at rehabilitating a shared water facility used by both communities.

The initiative, implemented through a partnership between local communities and Caritas Marsabit, has brought residents together to work side by side in repairing and maintaining the water source, which serves both livestock and domestic needs.

Under the arrangement, 50 community members participate in weekly activities at the site, with 25 representatives drawn from Badasa and another 25 from Leyai/Songa. The collaborative effort is helping to improve access to water while fostering interaction and cooperation between the neighbouring communities.

Residents say the atmosphere around the water facility has changed significantly, with members of the two communities now meeting, working and interacting peacefully in an area that was previously characterised by mistrust and division.

A woman from Badasa said the project has created an environment where people can come together, share responsibilities and build stronger relationships while addressing a common need.

Community elders have also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major step towards lasting peace. One elder from Leyai/Songa said residents can now move freely, work together and use shared spaces without fear.

The project is being viewed as a practical example of how joint management of shared resources can help rebuild trust, strengthen social ties and promote peaceful coexistence among communities that have experienced tensions in the past.