This year’s World Water Day was held at St. Joseph’s Tigithi Boys High School in Narumoru, Laikipia County with the theme; “Glacier Preservation,”
The World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO define a glacier as a large accumulation of mainly ice and snow, that originates on land and flows slowly through the influence of its own weight. Glaciers are found on every continent. They exist in many mountain regions and around the edges of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. There are more than 275 000 glaciers in the world, covering an area of around 700 000 km². Glaciers are considered as important water towers, storing about 170 000 km3 of ice, which amounts to approximately 70% of the global freshwater. Glaciers are a source of life, providing freshwater to people, animals and plants alike.
Through this theme, the United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. Additionally, 21st March of each year has been proclaimed as the World Day for Glaciers starting in 2025. Without a doubt, the theme has provided and opportunity and platform to create awareness on the role of glaciers in water conservation especially in the wake of the effects of climate change.
According to the United Nations, glaciers store approximately 70 percent of the world’s freshwater hence the need to safeguard these vital natural reservoirs. Due to climate change, glaciers have continued to diminish at alarming rates around the world since the mid-19th century. This has been occasioned by global warming resulting from increased atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions.
The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eng. Eric Mugaa led the water sector and the public in celebrating this great day at Tigithi Boys school in Laikipia. Eng. Mugaa reiterated the role of glaciers noting that runoff from glaciers, snow and ice are essential for drinking water, irrigation, industry and clean energy production. It also helps in groundwater recharge thus contribute to sea level rise.
Prior to the event, the water sector institutions engaged in a tree planting exercise as part National Tree Growing and Restoration Campaign; a presidential directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, aiming to increase tree cover from 12% to 30%
The CS was accompanied by PS State Department for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir, CBS, Water Secretary Eng. SAO Alima, The Laikipia County government team was led by H.E Governor Joshua Irungu. Also present was the area MP Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri.
The Authority also participated in the exhibition during the event where staff interacted with stakeholders to share information on its mandate, achievements, projects among others. The Authority’s team was led by Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru, Board of Directors, Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun and staff.
