Kahuho Now Has Access to Clean Water

In the native Kikuyu language, “Kahuho” means “wind,” which is a fitting name for this village in Laikipia County, Kenya. The town is situated on the slopes of Mount Kenya and experiences strong winds consistently. Despite its picturesque location, Kahuho faced severe challenges that may not have been immediately noticeable to casual observers.

Kahuho offers stunning views of Mount Kenya, but the village lies on the dry side of the mountain. This harsh reality is reflected in the daily lives of its residents, who struggle with chronic water scarcity. This scarcity leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and skin infections due to a lack of proper hygiene. These hardships are stark against the community’s resilience and unity.

When visitors arrive in Kahuho, they are greeted with warm smiles and a strong sense of unity that fills the village. The villagers are always happy to welcome newcomers and offer assistance. They stand together in the face of their struggles. However, their only water source was the Ngobit River, which is 7 kilometers away and flows only 4 to 6 months a year. When the river ran dry, the community would come together to tackle the challenge, relying on each other and their resilience to overcome the difficulties.

This year, the situation became even more critical. The village experienced one of the worst droughts, and the Ngobit River completely dried up. As a result, livestock perished, leading to a significant loss of income for many families. Water vendors in the region have taken advantage of the crisis, charging 35 Kenya Shillings for a 20-liter container of water—an unaffordable price for most families.

These water challenges had even more far-reaching effects on the community. Kahuho Primary School’s 300 students share only two latrines, and limited funds are being spent on water instead of necessary improvements on deteriorating infrastructure. In addition, the school’s enrollment rate drastically declined this year due to there being no access to water and students, in turn, having to drop out to go in search of water daily. The broader community was also affected, with many residents earning less than $100 a month and spending nearly half of their income on water.

Well Aware, in partnership with The Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys, has implemented a deep borehole well at Kahuho Primary School, offering a lifeline that promises to ease many of the community’s hardships. Everything will be different now. This new water source will enable the school to reallocate resources from purchasing water to improving facilities and infrastructure. School attendance will increase as infrastructure is expanded and students no longer have to search for water because it’s available at school. Livestock will have a reliable water supply, even during droughts, and the community will no longer be at the mercy of exploitative vendors. These resilient community members can now welcome relief and stability, as they focus on their education and furthering their job opportunities.

The borehole represents not just a solution, but a symbol of a brighter future for Kahuho.

This new water system will turn Kahuho into the oasis it was always meant to be, bringing enduring happiness and prosperity to this beautiful community.

Learn more about our Water Projects here.