Days after ‘Golole Dam’ Questions, Elle Dimtu and Antut water pans handed over

Days after Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo faced questions over her reference to the Golole Dam during a television interview, the Elle Dimtu and Antut water pans in Moyale, Marsabit County, have been completed and officially handed over to the community.

Waqo had cited Golole dam while defending the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development record and saying that several dams were being constructed across the country, including in Marsabit County.

However, her remarks sparked debate, with residents and fact-checkers seeking clarification on cost and implementation status of the alleged project.

The Elle Dimtu and Antut water pans were initiated last year following a request from Waqo’s office and implemented in collaboration with the Northern Water Works Development Agency.

The two facilities have a combined capacity of more than 35 million litres when full. They are expected to benefit residents of Elle Dimtu and Elebor, as well as communities living along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Residents said the Elle Dimtu water pan would provide water for domestic use and livestock, while the Antut facility would expand access to water for communities and animals in the area.

The projects are expected to improve water security and support pastoralist communities facing recurrent drought and water shortages.

The controversy surrounding the Golole Dam has also prompted calls for greater transparency on water projects in Marsabit, including their names, locations, budgets and implementation status.