Airtel Money and Red Cross Commission Borehole to Ease Water Scarcity in Marsabit
MARSABIT, KENYA, AUGUST 19, 2025 – More than 450 households in Marsabit town will now enjoy improved access to safe and reliable water following the commissioning of the Karantina borehole project, a joint initiative by the Kenya Red Cross Society and Airtel Money Kenya Limited.
The project, located in Saku sub-county, seeks to ease the water crisis in drought-prone Northern Kenya by providing families with a consistent supply of clean water.
In addition to drilling the borehole, the initiative included constructing masonry tanks, extending pipelines, building watering troughs and kiosks, and installing prepaid meters to ensure proper water management for both households and livestock.
Speaking during the launch, Marsabit County Deputy Governor Solomon Riwe hailed the intervention as a milestone in boosting resilience for local communities and called on residents to safeguard the facility.
“We thank Airtel Money Kenya and the Kenya Red Cross Society for their continued support to Marsabit. This borehole will directly improve lives, but it is our responsibility as a community to protect and maintain it,” Riwe said.
The Karantina borehole is part of a broader partnership that has also seen the rehabilitation of four water sources in Samburu County Loosuk, Lojorin, Bendera, and Loltulele benefiting more than 1,950 households.
Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director Anne Kinuthia-Otieno emphasized the company’s commitment to impactful community projects alongside financial services.
“As Airtel Money grows, it is important that we grow with the communities we serve. Initiatives like the Karantina water project are about health, dignity, and opportunity. Beyond financial inclusion, our goal is to empower communities to thrive,” Kinuthia-Otieno said.
Kenya Red Cross Society Governor Hon. Geoffrey Korir commended Airtel Money’s continued partnership, highlighting the need for long-term sustainability.
“Beyond providing water for households, we must also explore sustainable utilization through initiatives like irrigation. We appreciate Airtel Money for their support in improving livelihoods in water-scarce regions,” Korir said.
In 2022, Airtel Money donated KES 50 million to the Kenya Red Cross Society in support of the national drought response, which reached more than 5.1 million affected Kenyans.
With only 15 percent of the country’s water resources fully developed, access to clean water remains one of Kenya’s biggest development challenges. The new project is expected to offer a lifeline to Marsabit residents grappling with the harsh realities of climate change and recurrent drought.
