By Abdullahi Jamaa

“There were times when we relied on water trucking,” says Dekow Abdikadir, a resident of Hajilo, a remote pastoral hamlet about 16 kilometers from Hadado, Wajir West Constituency.

“We trekked long distances for water, going through different situations, and at times we depended on water bowsers from Wajir,” the bubbly village elder narrates, describing how Hajilo residents endured years of raging thirst.

Far removed from the centre of resources, Hajilo, like many settlements across vast Wajir County, has never known any respite from acute water shortages. It was a do-or-die situation for much of its population, especially among women and children.

During relentless drought conditions, water scarcity meant local villagers had to seek support from well-wishers to help them access the precious commodity.

Getting water was a hard nut to crack, costly and often requiring the efforts of Good Samaritans who had to put their best foot forward to make donations.

“Well-wishers like Haji Salat, Mohamed Ibrahim, Mukhtar Dahir and Chief Daud often mobilised resources during drought conditions to bring water to the centre, where a truckload would cost 30,000,” says Dekow.

Hajilo and its people have had a rough and tormenting experience with water shortages. For years, water was, if anything, the subject of their prayers.

Today, the centre has a new borehole, courtesy of Wajir West parliamentary aspirant Ahmed Nassir Mohamed, offering the people of Hajilo a new lease of life after years of water scarcity.

The borehole was long overdue, but the timing could not have been better. Residents are now full of smiles following the development, which has come not from the government but from a philanthropic individual who understands their problems like the back of his hand.

“We thank our brother. We have prayed for you, ‘fi dunya wal akhira’,” Mzee Dekow said, speaking passionately about the new borehole. “For us, this is something that we will never forget.”

With the installation and launch of the borehole, residents lauded the aspirant, praising him for an intervention they said would go a long way towards improving the lives of people in the centre.

“Looking from all angles, Hajilo is today a better place. It is a stopover, open for anyone to access its water,” observed  Salat Dahir.

Recounting their old stories, elders and residents alike appreciated the aspirant for rescuing them from the torment of relentless thirst, which had almost turned Hajilo into a deserted outpost.

Hajilo is now back to life, thriving at least, with residents brimming with hope that one day it will be transformed into a strategic centre with better living standards.

“Mheshimiwa, we thank you. Hajilo was almost a deserted place due to lack of water. You supported us at a time when we needed support,” noted Mohamed Ibrahim.

Indeed, with a nearby water source, the residents and particularly the women of Hajilo will get a break from pulling the heavy yellow jerrycans from far. No more waiting through the burning noon for long.

The well 

The well has brought life back to the barren land and given the community much-needed relief. At least by Wajir standards, access to water in Hajilo is slowly but steadily improving.

While officially handing over the borehole to residents, aspirant Ahmed Nassir Mohamed urged them to protect it through prudent management.

“You are required to have a management committee to run the borehole. You are also required to seek services from the government whenever there is a breakdown” Ahmed Nassir told the resident.

He reiterated that the borehole was not built by the government or any other individual, but was solely his contribution towards the well-being of the community.

“There are rumors that this work was done by the government, but we are here to tell you that I am the person behind the well. This is not the work of the government” He confirmed

Meanwhile, the aspirant has called on community members to register as voters so they can take part in the next general election.

“We call upon you to register as voters. There are many people with IDs but have not registered. You should register yourself and urge the youth to register themselves,” he emphasised.