Between months of December and March residents
in parts of Laikipia East and Lakipia North constituencies complain of reduced
water levels in their rivers following massive abstraction upstream.
Gakue stream in Kalalu has been a
livelihood to many of the residents until 20 years ago when the flow was
affected after commercial farms sprung up on the slopes of Mt Kenya.
The stream among others is no more
following increased irrigation projects upstream without consideration of the
plight of thousands of residents downstream.
Sirimon, Nyarigunu rivers are
the worst hit as the residents in the parts of Umande and Segera wards are
forced to transport water from far sources using water trucks at heavy
expenses.
Trips by the locals to investigate
the cause of the reduced water levels in the rivers have never materialised, as
the rich farmers use their muscles to intimidate the environmental
crusaders.
PhotoOne of the rivers in Laikipia
Those using Nanyuki and Likii rivers
downwards smile as there are no abstractions upstream, as it is experienced in
other parts of Meru that have led to the perennial conflict.
The Water Resource Authority
office in Nanyuki town has been of no help as hundreds of petitions lodged by
the people in need of assistance have been gathering dust.
Three years ago, Cabinet Secretary
for Environment Keriako Tobiko started a movement to remove the illegal intake
in part of Nyeri to allow the rich downstream to have access to water.
In Meru, it is vice versa the rich
have established illegal intakes blocking the poor in Laikipia access to the
natural resources exposing them to challenge.
Tobiko’s mission remains incomplete
as people are buying the commodity while a few enjoy the resource in plenty.
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