County Government of Laikipia

Key Achievements

Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources(WENR) in the year 2021 embarked on several water projects to promote production in the county. As of the end of last year, Makurian - Osirua water project was at 80% complete with expectations to serve 1000 households. The projects have intake in Mt. Kenya and the laying of 40 Km pipe is complete.

To ensure adequate water reticulation, the county has constructed 5 tanks. Other water projects taking place in the county include Kinamba water projects which is ongoing after the contractor was handed over the project on December 7 ^th 2021.

Three other boreholes have been drilled and equipped ready to supply water for irrigation. A total of 15 boreholes and handpumps have been rehabilitated.

At the onset of last year's drought, the Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources embarked on the implementation of several mitigation initiatives that included water trucking of institutions and communal water points. A total of 63 schools were able to be supplied with adequate water to ensure learning continued uninterrupted. The Department also constructed 6 communal water points and distributed 30 tanks with a capacity of 5000 liters to schools in Laikipia North.

With the approval of the Laikipia Infrastructure Bond, the Department intend to finance two water projects at Wangwaci and Ilpolei dams. The procurement process of the same is ongoing with the expectation for an implementation date set for Jan-March 2022.

Environment

In the year 2021, the Directorate of environment was able to plant over 200,000 tree seedlings in the county as it seeks to achieve 10% forest coverage.

In the solid waste management sector, the Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources acquired 4 refuse trucks that are deployed in different towns to keep them clean. Garbage collection in the county has been extended to centers such as Miamoja, Doldol, Wiyumiririe, and Lamuria.

To manage nature, the county has kick-started land ownership verification and established Laikipia Nature Reserve team. In partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service, the county government will be able to adequately conserve the environment and nature within Laikipia. Already KWS has deployed 2 wardens who will assist in the training of 55 rangers soon.

Several policies will also be implemented in the county for better management of nature. They include climate change Act, climate change policy, Ewaso Nyiro Wetland Management Plan, County Environment Action Plan, Invasive SPPs eradication plan, Laikipia County and community wildlife conservancies Bill 2021.