Last updated on March 2nd, 2024 at 05:51 pm
Key Points:
- Local farmers in Kiambu County have been urged to avoid farming within a 10-meter corridor from rivers to safeguard water resources.
- The conflict between agricultural practices and water source preservation has escalated in the county.
- Water rationing has become necessary due to a severe water shortage for human consumption.
In an effort to protect water resources in Kiambu County, local farmers are being encouraged to refrain from cultivating land within a 10-meter buffer zone along rivers.
David Kuria, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for the Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources, has emphasized the growing conflict between agricultural activities and the conservation of natural water sources.
Kuria stressed the importance of educating farmers about maintaining riparian land, as current farming methods are contributing to water contamination and depletion of vital water resources.
Kiambu County has reached a critical point in this regard, leading the local Water and Sewage Company to implement water rationing due to a severe shortage of water suitable for human consumption.
Boniface Mbugua, the Managing Director of the Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company, echoed Kuria’s concerns, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to address the water shortage.
David Mumo, the Basin Coordinator of Athi Catchment from the Water Resources Authority, revealed that protective measures are underway to safeguard water bodies in Kiambu County.
These measures include marking and pegging rivers to ensure the preservation of their quality and quantity. Mumo also highlighted how the encroachment of eucalyptus trees and extensive vegetable and arrowroot farming in the county has disrupted the natural flow of rivers.
Hezekiah Chege from the Strategic Innovation Solutions Initiative assured farmers that these measures are not meant to displace them but rather to educate them about planting appropriate types of vegetation along riverbanks.
The initiative aims to strike a balance between agricultural activities and the preservation of water resources, ensuring a sustainable future for Kiambu County and its residents.