Pillar IV: Attaining Access To Clean And Accessible Water
The County Government of Laikipia has consistently maintained good progress in fulfilling the promises made to the people during the 2017 elections.
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi's election manifesto was anchored on 12 pillars that included:
- Proper Governance and Accountability
- Job Creation: 30,000 Jobs
- Farming Becomes a profitable business
- Access to clean and Reliable water
- Access to Quality and Affordable Health Care
- Employable youths and Entrepreneurship
- Opportunities and Talent Development for young people
- Protection of Life and Property
- Light-up of homes and Markets
- Upgrade of roads and Building bridges
- Develop Smart and Green Towns
- Destination Laikipia
In our third installment of From Political promises to Action, we are focusing on Pillar number four.
Attaining Access to Clean and reliable water
The Government has been focusing on providing enough clean and accessible water for both domestic and production purposes.
Water is an enabler and vital commodity for creating a healthy population free from water-related diseases.
The Government has drilled new boreholes to utilize the underground water. These boreholes are Katonga, Bokish, Mirango, Muramati, Gathanji, Muwarak, Baraka, Kurum, Muthengera, Emgwen, Machunguru, Milimani, Mwenje, Mwiyogo, Mlima meza, Ndaragwiti, Kinamba, Sosian, Silati, Mbogoini, Mutara Kaharati, Nguu, Mutamaiyo, Kaiti, Bustani, Mahianyu, Yard, Reli B, Ainampoi, Olmunichoi, Majani, Limunga, and Munyu.
The boreholes have transformed the living standards of the people in the area through irrigation. The residents of the respective areas no longer walk for long distances in search of their water and for their livestock.
The Government has also equipped 41 boreholes with solar power. They had been drilled but could not be used because they were not equipped. They include Kiwanja Ndege, Nosorai, Katonga, Bokishi, Tangi Nyeusi, Nkando, Mirango, Muramati, Gathanji, Muwarak, Baraka, Muthengera, Suguroi, Emgwen, Luoniek, Ndemu, Mwireri, Milimani, Mwenje, Mukuri Umoja/Nturukuma, Kagaa, Shalom, Kaichakun, Mahianyu/Kiandege, Suguroi, Lolora, Tetu, Murungai, Endana, Machunguru, Chemu, Kurum, Ethi, Arjijo, Mwiyogo, Ontulili, Nyakinyua, Daiga, Nyariginu and Mlima Meza.
The Department of Water has also rehabilitated a total of 32 boreholes. These are: Ethi, Kiamariga, Munyaka, Shalom, Thome, Mithuri, Olmoran, Tandare, Ngaremare, Sipili, Nyambogishi, Wangwaci, Naiperere, Loborsoit, Ilpolei, Doldol 3, Doldol 1, Riachu, Gloise, Naibor, Uaso, Ol-Moran, Doldol 2, Wangwaci, Kahuruko, Tandare, Ol-moran 2, Kihato, Ilpolei, Sipili SD, Tandare and Doldol 3.
Rehabilitating these boreholes has led to an increment in the water holding capacity to cater to more people and livestock. In some instances, the Government has availed water closer to residents through pipeline extension from community boreholes. The activity has seen residents start farming in areas that were thought to be dry beyond allowing any crop to sprout. Thirty-six (36) Community Water Projects have been supported with pipeline extension service.
They are: Ntrukuma, Jikaze, Nyambogishi, Kabage, Muruai, Munyaka, Tandare 1, Tandare 2, Kiriti, Gatami, Mwiremia, Chumvi (Osirwa), Ngano-ini, Pesi, Canaan, RDU, Kabati, Depatas, Chui-Muhotetu, Ngaremare, Mukuri, Salama/Nganoini, Karima, Jericho-kiahuko, Kiandege, Osirwa, Chui, Muthengera, Karaba, Muguongo, Mackenzie, Nkando, Solio, Sirimon and Kaichakun.
The Government has also renovated Nyariginu, Ntrukuma, and Ruai water tanks. At the same time, it has constructed six similar water storage tanks in Tigithi 1, Tigithi 2, Chumvi, Nganoini, Jikaze, Mikubine and Salama.
Additionally, the Department has rehabilitated 21 dams across the County to expand the water holding capacity and certify enough water for irrigation. These dams are: Doldol, Mbombo, Tiemamult, Kariunga, Wamura, Loshaki, Kairguini, Kanjul, Mirera, Ositat, Mahianyu, Gachogu, Imenya, Kalalu, Imenya, Karungu B, Leporos, Longomot, Musul, Salama and Solio 4.
The increased water from the dams has allowed the locals to engage in farming cash crops for sale. The result is an improvement in the living standards from the crop sale. Construction of 13 water pans in Musul, 20 in Nturukuma , and 13 in Iriuko has happened as County Government directs efforts to provide enough water to the household levels. Apart from irrigation and consumption, water has improved the hygiene of the people.
The Government has also engaged various schools to tap rainwater and store it for use during the dry season. Some of these schools are Thama, Tangi Nyeusi, Mutaro, Mategithi, and Nkando.
(Source: CGL E-Newsletter Issue 0045).
