We signed a Memorandum of Understanding; (MOU) with the County Government of Elgeiyo-Marakwet on 22nd March, 2024 during the World Water Day celebrations. The objective of the MOU is to develop water infrastructure in the county where drilling of seventeen boreholes is currently ongoing.
Elgeiyo-Marakwet County Governor H.E Wisley Rotich said the purpose of the MOU is
to establish a working relationship towards enhancing water harvesting and storage in the county. Governor Rotich added that the MoU outlines how water harvesting and storage will help foster peace among communities where water is scarce and a source of conflicts especially in the Kerio Valley.
“In the next three and half years we are looking at sinking more than 100 boreholes across the County in schools (primary, secondary and tertiary institutions) in order to improve water provision which currently stands at 38% against a national average of 56%.” Governor Rotich.
Governor Rotich thanked the Authority for the partnership which aims to contribute to building of resilience, peace, the eradication of poverty leading to sustainable development through provision of adequate water for Irrigation and domestic use.
NWHSA’s Chairman Symon Maina noted that the water for peace program is very critical not only for peace but food security. Provision of water to the residents of Elgeyo Marakwet will provide them with alternative sources of income through irrigation supported agricultural activities. This will in turn foster peace and peaceful co-existence between communities living in the border of neighboring counties.
The Authority’s Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. John K. Muhia assured the Governor of quality work and commitment by the Authority to ensure the project is a success. The works will include the drilling of boreholes and rehabilitation of dams. This will result in an increase in water provision for domestic use and small-scale irrigation, thereby enhancing food security and improved social-economic well-being.
“The collaboration is timely and an opportunity to transform lives of the communities in Elgeyo- Marakwet in the short, medium and long term.” Eng. Muhia.
Present during the signing of the MOU was the Governor Wisley Rotich, Authority’s Chairman Symon Maina, the Authority’s Directors Rogers Chepkwony’, Amina Mohammed and Kipseng’eret Koros, Ag. CEO Eng. John Muhia, CEC Water, Mr. Jason Lagat among other senior officials from the Authority and the County.
The water infrastructure will contribute to the building of resilience, peace, the eradication of poverty and sustainable development through provision of adequate water for Irrigation and domestic use. The collaboration is timely and an opportunity to help transform the lives of the communities in Elgeyo Marakwet with both short, medium and long-term impact.
The collaboration activities will be centered on drilling of boreholes and equipping, solarizing of water supply for irrigation and domestic use and rehabilitation of colonial dams. The purpose of this collaboration is to reduce the resource-based conflicts that arise due to fight for pasture and water. it will also enable communities to have alternative sources of income through irrigation supported agricultural activities, foster peace and peaceful co-existence by the communities living in the border and enhance food security in the County through irrigated agriculture.
The Authority has also collaborated with the neighboring County of Baringo and is undertaking the same program in building resilience, peace and sustainable development through provision of adequate water for Irrigation and domestic use.
