By Henry Mangome I sciencewatchafrica@gmail.com
Communities living along rivers and other water bodies hold the key to sustaining water quality, a senior government official has said.
While addressing a group of water campaigners yesterday, State Department of Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Julius Korir said that the ministry has taken a wholistic approach towards conservation of water with rivers being given special attention.
The activists, under the banner of Journey of Water Campaign organised by WWF-Kenya kicked off the three day walk at the source of River Kibos at Kobujoi village in Nandi South sub-county.
According to the government, 9.9m Kenyans do not have access to clean water a fact that they say must be put to rest through strategic partnerships.
The PS urged residents to protect rivers for generations to come noting that if that were not done, future wars will be fought over water.
He announced that the government will soon commence a feasibility study on the status of water aimed at saving Nandi Hills and Kapsabet where 60 per cent of the county residents live. He also added that in the next financial year, his ministry will fund Lake Victoria Sewerage and Water Authority to design water projects upstream targeting Nandi County. Further he noted that the nearby Kesses dam is due for desiltation befote the end of the year.
Mr Stephen Too and Priscillah Rotich, who live barely 200m from the source both welcomed the announcement is a big relief to them as the area does not have any piped water despite being the source of River Kibos which is the lifeline for more than 500,000 residents in Kisumu City and its surrounding areas.
“If we can get piped water, women in this area, will have been saved from the burden of fetching water from the river thereby avoiding water contamination and time spent on this ardous task,” said Priscillah who is also a member of the Kobujoi Water Association.
While reminding the residents of their custodial responsibility of rivers, Korir directed communities residing along the water to remove all the blue gum trees planted 50 metres from river banks.
The river serves communities in Nandi, Vihiga and Kisumu counties.
The “Journey of Water” campaign is a unique seeing is believing event that takes participants on an educational and inspiring journey, tracing the path water takes from its source to our taps. Through interactive sessions, site visits, and engaging discussions with experts, the Campaign, now in its third edition, aim to highlight the critical issues surrounding water conservation and inspire actionable change within our community.
