News Categories: Lands, Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change

The County Government of Nandi through the Department of Water is keen to provide access to clean and piped water to its residents. Currently four boreholes have been drilled in the financial year 2021/2022. These include Siginwai Primary School in Terik Ward, Aldai Subcounty, Ndubeneti Dispensary, Kilibwoni Ward in Emgwen Subcounty, AIC Kosirai Academy in Kosirai Ward, Chesumei Subcounty and Sigowet Primary School in Tindiret Ward in Tindiret Subcounty.

Speaking during the drilling exercise at Ndubeneti Dispensary, the CECM incharge of Lands, Environment, Water, Natural Resources and Climate Change Dr Philemon Bureti said that the project will serve the nearby school, church and the neighboring community targetting more than 100 households. He added that the department has further identified 8 more sites in different wards where borehole drilling will take place.

Governor Stephen Sang noted that water is a challenge in most parts of the county thus the government intends to ensure every village is connected to clean piped water which shall be achieved by drilling and equipping of boreholes in identified sites across Nandi County.

“We want to make sure that water becomes a priority especially in public institutions such as dispensaries, hospitals and schools. We don’t want to see our school going children carrying cans to go and fetch water from a nearby river. We are putting that to an end.” He added.

The governor made the remarks while overseeing the drilling of a borehole at AIC Kosirai Academy in Kosirai Ward, Chesumei Subcounty.

The County Government of Nandi is on the front in ensuring that its residents can access water close to their households.

Through this, the Department of Lands, Water, Environment and Natural Resources is working towards ensuring that in all Sub-counties, residents can access the availability of water.

In Mosop Sub-County, Governor Stephen Sang stated that the availability of water resources is a fundamental element of sustainable communities and that the people depend on water for the health of its people, the strength of its economy, and the vitality of its ecosystems.

The Tabolwa project is set to supply water to 200 households that will gladly serve more than four institutions around the area.

The Marebei water project has a tank that holds a capacity of 50,000-litre tank that will serve more than 150 households with three institutions in place.

The Governor had earlier launched The Kunurter and Kalyet water projects in Chemundu Sub-County. The Kunurter already serves 82 households while Kalyet serves 200 households.

Speaking at the event, the governor acknowledged all the requests made to him by Tabolwa primary teachers and the people whereby he promised to deliver. He urged people to continue protecting the environment and observe the Covid-19 guidelines.

Members present during the commission was the CECM Agriculture Kiplimo Lagat, CO Daniel Sanga, MCAS Ngetich Joshua, Robert Kirwa and director Richard Lelei.

Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Yet even today, clean water is a luxury that remains out of the reach of many. In this new century, water, its sanitation, and its equitable distribution pose great social challenges for our world.

And through this, the County Government of Nandi is on the front of ensuring that in all Sub-counties, every ward should be able to receive and access clean and safe water.

The County Government through the Department of lands, water, environment and natural resource, has been able to give access to water to the residents at Chepkunyuk in Nandi-Hills Sub-County.
the Chepkunyuk residents will be able to access water from the Siwo Water Project that was launched by Governor Stephen Sang.

The residents will also get water from the Kungut and Cheboin Water Project.

Siwo project is a rehabilitation and construction of a pump house and installation of a pump. The project has four tanks, two having a capacity of 100,000litre and the other two holding a capacity of 25,000litre and 30,000litre respectively that will serve 260 households, Five schools and one dispensary.

Kungut water project which uses solar power serves 75 households and has 2 tanks with a capacity of 25,000 and 10,000 litres.

The Cheboin water project involved setting up a distribution network and completion of a 30,000-litre tank serving 60 households.

In NandiHills ward, the governor also launched the Talal water project, which uses gravity and involves the construction of a 25,000-litre tank, that will intake work, laying of pipeline and has 160 households already connected.

The department is also working on expanding the project as it is targeting 600 households.

The governor also inspected the Kapsean water project which is on the final touches is set to supply water to the residents.

Speaking at the events, the governor reiterated his commitment to have as many households as possible connected to piped water.

He also spoke of expanding the distribution network to other villages and surrounding institutions.

Also present was the CECM lands, water and Natural resources Dr Philemon Buretti, Chepkunyuk MCA Paul Sanga, NandiHills MCA Gideon Koech and Directors Alfayo Lel and Richard Lelei.

Residents lauded the government for bringing water close to them as this has reduced their journeys to streams and springs.

The county government of Nandi has embarked on a thorough inspection of projects all around the county.

This exercise seeks to address several issues, with the main one being; gauging on how many projects have so far been done, how many households have water, and how much work is still needed and which particular locations.

This process is being spearheaded by the department of lands water and Natural resources.

So far the department had already visited 30 impressive projects so far.

Water officers visiting the projects will continue to assess the status of every project and give a report that will inform how the county will reachout to households that do not have water.

Most of these projects are already operational but the few not operating due to a few hitches. Water Committee members have been pointing out the challenges and what they need to be addressed.

Several projects are operational with at least 200 households connected and some even up to 1500 households.

Other sources have the potential of exceeding their current supply and the county plans on improving those projects so that they can supply a larger area.

The projects not currently operational will be completed as soon as possible.

Some of these are due to vandalism which the Chief Officer for water and Natural resources Daniel Sang during the visit requested the Committee to always have security around the pump house and tanks.

Kenya Forest Service, Lake Victoria North Water Works Agency, and County Government of Nandi have today visited the Cerengoni forest to assess the piece of land where the Keben Water Development Project is supposed to be constructed.

The proposed Dam site is projected to consume about 70 acres of land inside the forest, something that had made the Kenya Forest Service urged the county government to provide alternative land to be planted trees that will be damaged during construction of the proposed dam.

Speaking at the site, Kenya Forest Service technical chairman Prof Leikong urged the county government to move with speed in allocating the alternative piece of land.

On his part Chief Officer in charge of Lands and Environment, Mr. Solomon Mang’ira assured the technical team that there are already 214 acres set aside by the county government as an alternative land to replace the one offered by that Cerengoni forest.

Mang’ira further reiterated that the Department of Lands, Environment, Water and Natural Resources is committed to ensuring that they planted as many trees as possible on the provided land to replace the ones which will be lost during the construction of the dam.

” We are not only providing the alternative piece of land but also we will make sure that we plant as many as possible trees”, Mang’ira alluded.

On their part, Lake Victoria North Water Works Agency through the Chief Executive Officer Eng, Bundotich, said that they are ready to work with both governments to see the full completion of the dam.

He further added that once the deal between the Kenya, Forest, Service, and the County Government is done, the construction works will commence taking about four years for it to be completed.

According to Bundotich, the dam will host about 3.6 million cubic meters providing 18000 cubic meters daily, serving 12000 and 6000 beneficiaries per day, irrigation, and domestic use respectively.

Kapsabet, Nandi Hills, and Baraton towns are also among beneficiaries.

The department of Lands, Environment, Natural, Resources and Climate Change in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organization are in process to develop Nandi County Wetland Management Plan that will focus on challenges facing the wetlands across the county.

This comes at a time when over thirty wetlands across the county is undergoing serious distractions from human activities living around the swamps.

In a meeting that brought together CECM in charge of LENRCC Dr Philemon Bureti , FAO Representatives lead by Husna and stakeholders from various departments ranging from Agriculture, Tourism, Physical Planning, Survey, National Land Commission Water Resource Users Association commonly known as WRUA, several treats to growing of wetlands were discussed and how will be dealt with.

Team from Mandi County together with Members from Food and Agriculture Organization.

Among these challenges that hinders the growth of the swamps are poor laws and enforcement that has ever made the communities living around reluctantly enchroached and destroyed the swamp.

Planting of eucalyptus tress as well as increased agricultural activities are among problems that post major challenges to the growth of swamps and development of Wetland management plan will address this challenge.

Speaking during the meeting Dr Bureti said that there is need to put in place proper laws and enforcement to eliminate all the treats to the wetlands alluding that the department is tirelessly working around the clock to make sure that all these laws and enforcement are put in place. On her part Husna thank the Nandi County for ever commitment and full support in matters land governance and environment.

Dr. Bureti addressing the team on the various ways they can manage the wetlands within the County.

Nandi County Wetland Management Plan will majorly dwell on creating tourism opportunities and restoring ecological habitats and other wildlife’s by discouraging agricultural activities, wildlife hunting and putting in place laws and enforcement.

In a bid to ensure that community is accessed to clean and adequate water the department of Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation (LENRWS),has worked around the clock to see Sirwo, Kungut and Cheboin water projects are brought to their completion.

The CECM Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation Dr Philemon Bureti together with Chepkunyuk Member of County Assembly Hon Paul Sanga made round check on the three water projects to ensure that community gets enough water during this time the government is trying to minimize the spread of COVID- 19 virus.

All three water projects are operational at the moment with Siwo serving up to 150 households. This number is expected to go up to serving more than 2000 households of Sirwo location and some parts of Chepkunyuk location upon optimization.

Further, Nduroto, Siwo, Kokomei, Chebilat, Nukiat, St. Teresa and Choimim primary schools are the great beneficiaries of the project. Choimim milk cooling plant and cattle dip also benefit from the same project.

Kungut(Kapkakaron) and Cheboin serves the entire Kapkaron sub location and Taito location at large with more than 100 households and Cheboin location with 70 households respectively.

During this round check the community appreciated the efforts by the county government to ensure as much connectivity as possible to the people of Nandi.

The Country Government of Nandi received Compressor Machines at the department of water by CECM Lands Environment Natural Resource Water Sanitation Dr Philemon Bureti, Chief Officer Solomon Mang’ira, County Assembly Committee chairman on Lands Environment Natural Resources Robert Kirwa and county water officers.

CECM Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation Dr Philemon Bureti addressing the media

Speaking while receiving the machine Dr Bureti expressed great hope of community accessed to water when the compressor commences operating.

“Once the machine is operational will ensure that every resident is connected with water, “Bureti said.
Dr Bureti also dismissed malicious allegations about the price of drilling Riggs together with the compressor putting straight that both machines cost the county a total of 77 million and not 200million alleged in some media platforms.8

CEC further reiterated that the department will soon come up with a strategy on how the machines will be operating in all 30 Wards calling for maximum support from county assembly.

“We will soon draw a plan on how the process of drilling water will be carried out across all 30 Wards. I would like to ask county assembly to give us maximum support so that we may achieve this goal altogether” CEC reiterated.

On his part, Hon Robert Kirwa assured the department of maximum support from the County Assembly alluding that his committee is ready and willing to work with the department.

He also appreciated the work His Excellency the governor is doing to make sure that the community is accessed to clean, adequate and affordable water, sentiments echoed by Chief Officer Solomon Mang’ira.

The drilling Riggs together with the compressor awaits to be launch by the governor after which they start operating across all six sub-counties.

 The residents of Cheboin in Chepkunyuk ward, Nandi Hills sub-county we’re delighted have piped water reached their place.

They were grateful that water reached their homes after the tank that had been constructed in 2017, did not have water since despite its completion.

The women and men present expressed their happiness and gratitude to the county government of Nandi for bringing the water close to them, something some of them admitted they didn’t know it would have happened so soon.

Cheboin community water project began in 2017 when a tank was built and the source identified. The water was to be sourced from Siret Dam, a few kilometres from where the tank was built.

The County Government of Nandi embarked on laying a pipeline one week ago on a stretch of 3.6km from Siret Dam and it employs gravity to reach the tank.

Water filled the 30 M cubic tank till it overflowed prompting some women to break into song and dance.

Tapped water for residents of Chepkunyuk Ward.

The area MCA Paul Sanga expressed gratitude towards the government for giving his people water.

He said the residents won’t be trekking long distances for water and they will soon embark on connecting households with the water. 300 households are expected to be connected.

The government of Nandi is committed to delivering water to its people by developing new projects and sorting stalled projects.

Lake Victoria North Water Works Development officials visited the county water offices to know the status of Ratinwet – Chemundu project, in Chemundu sub County. The officers were conducting a visibility study and a detailed survey of the said project.
Ratinwet – Chemundu Community Water source is located in Chemundu, 100metres from the tarmac road. The land was donated by the family who initially owned the land for development of the project. The project will serve institutions and house holds around which include the county commissioner’s office, Chemundu polytechnic, Chemundu High school and primary. A tank will be built at the commissioner’s office as its the highest point and water will be pumped using solar energy.
The officials met county water director Richard Lelei and Chemundu water engineer where they deliberated on how the project will be done with each giving views that will ensure a project that will serve Chemundu residents. The officials later visited the water source which produces 5m cubic of water per hour.