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

Water for everyone continues to be a driving force for the county government of Nandi.

The government has partnered with several institutions and donors to bring water close to the Nandi residents.

Lands, water and Natural resources CECM attended a pre tender site visit by contractors in Nandi Hills, Nandi hills subcounty.

The project NandiHills water supply is funded by African Development Bank to a tune of 600 million shillings. The project which will be rehabilitation of Taito dam involves building gabbions on source, construction of treatment works and construction of staff quarters.

Construction works will also kick off at Mogong River, Nandi hills subcounty. The works include weir, installation of a pump house and treatment works and rising main. It will also be equipped with 3 tanks one with 1000 m cubic, 500m cubic and 250mcubic.

CECM Dr. Buretti addresses contractors and Nandi Hills residents.

The distribution network is expected to serve Nandi Hills Town, Samoei, Kabikwen, Sinendet, Kosoiywo and Kipsamoo.

The CECM urged the contractors to do their work honestly and perfectly as this was for the good of the Nandi Hills people.

He also urged them to complete the works at the stipulated time. The project is expected to be complete in a few months.

Hygiene must always be observed to ensure diseases are kept at bay. In  villages, open defacation is a health hazard and people can fall sick because the faeces find its way to rivers and other water sources.

The solution to this is ensuring every household has a toilet. Public health is mandated to ensure that every household has a toilet and they can declare an area defecation free.

water and Natural resources chief officer Sally Kemboi unveiled a billboard for Tuiyobei Village declaring it open defecation free.

Cheptil today celebrated open defacation free status after satisfying public health officers. The project spearhead by the county government of Nandi and trust fund was funded by the WSTF.

The process involved sensitising the people to have basic sanitation facilities which are toilets with squat hole covers, hand washing facilities which include soap and water and detergents and ash to reduce the smell.

The realisation of this status calls for celebrations in the villages and bill boards have in erected in respect to that. Today water and Natural resources chief officer Sally Kemboi unveiled a billboard for Tuiyobei Village declaring it open defecation free.

Also present was Trust fund director and the village leadership.

The County Government of Nandi in its quest for alleviating water shortages has today met with the members of the county assembly to give the status of the various projects being done by the government. The department of water staff led by CECM Lands, water and Natural resources Dr Buretti, chief officer water and Natural resources Sally Kemboi and the director Richard Lelei met the MCAs and sub County water officers to dig in the challenges and provide solutions.
Several water projects are complete and operational at the moment. However some are not operational because of challenges that arise after the government has tendered water works in a particular subcounty or ward. Some projects have been completed but lack electricity connection to function. Others have not started due to land issues and politicisation of these projects. Other contractors win these contracts but don’t do it to completion or drag for over a year.
Every challenge has a solution and suggestions were made to solve these. Time lines for completion of projects should strictly be adhered to by the contractors. The MCAs also asked the department to monitor closely these projects. On issues of land, they requested that projects not be marked to be done on private land as this causes stalling of projects. On implementation of these solutions, water projects will be done and completed within the shortest time.
The CECM lands, water and Natural resources Dr Buretti acknowledged the many challenges raised and promised to work on these challenges. He also asked the MCAs and the subcounty water officers to work together with the county water officials to solve the problems. Present were MCAs Eliud Kirongo, Robert Kirwa, Gideon Koech, Geoffrey Kevolwe, Wilson Sang and Jostline Jepnyango representing Kapkangani, Chemundu, NandiHills, Kiptuiya, Chepkumia and Songhor Soba respectively.

Trust Fund a grant by the government of Finland in partnership with Nandi County government completed a water project in kobujoi, Aldai subcounty which is now operational. The project supplies water to several institutions and villages.
The project was completed in May 2019 and it takes advantage of the gravity with the source and the tanks being 1.2 km apart. The two major tank make a total of 600,000 litres which are full to the brim. The source is located deep in kobujoi forest. Water kiosks have also been set up and a pump house with electricity supply and an office complete with office furniture, a computer and printer.
During a sitting with the project’s Committee, they expressed their wish to have additional pipeline to reach more villages and institutions within the area. They also requested that water treatment plants be set up to ensure they drink clean water to reduce diseases in the area.
The chief officer for water and Natural resources Sally Kemboi urged the members to take care of the project and own it. The Trust’s representative Jukka Illomaki also thanked them for conserving the water source and guarding the project from vandals.

Department of Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation in partnership with Anglican Development Services Western and Christian Aid has held a multi-Stakeholders consultative meeting in Nandi County Climate Change Draft Policy, Bill and Regulations.

The project aims to support counties in enacting climate legislations with an objective to put in place mechanisms to strengthen the climate information services in the County and to put in place a monitoring and evaluation system to track the efficiency and effectiveness of various climate change interventions implemented in the County among other objectives.

Speaking during the official opening, CECM Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation Dr. Bureti appreciated the partnership and synergy that the department has had with ADSW as having the County Climate Change Fund will assist in mitigating matters related to climate change for instance the Landslides and floods.

Chief Executive Officer ADSW Mr. Stephen Amusala , appreciated the efforts done by the County in ensuring that we have County Climate Change Fund in place and having policies that fit County needs.

Currently the department has a draft Climate change bill, Climate Change policy, Wetlands Management Policy, Sustainable Land Management Policy and Forest Management and conservation policy.

Present during the consultative meeting were Chief Officer LENRCC Dr Mang’ira, representatives from Legal office, Agriculture, Kenya Wildlife Service, Water Resource Users Association and Environment.

Water is the most essential commodity in every household and for this reason the county government of Nandi is keen to deliver promises made to its residents of providing them with clean water close to them.
The government has done countless water projects which have so far been completed. In the financial year 2017/2018,more than 70 projects were done which are currently operational; Mosop sub County 14,Emgwen 8,Tindiret 16,Chesumei 12, Nandi hills 12, Aldai 9.  In addition to that over 40 projects have been completed in the financial year 2018/2019 while 42 are  ongoing.

This reaffirms the government’s commitment in delivering to the people of Nandi.  There are however some projects that are yet to begin because the owners of the land within which the water catchment area sits on denying people around them water.

The CECM lands, water and Natural resources Dr Buretti  the county director for water Richard Lelei  amd water engineer today visited chepkiit water project in Ol’lessos ward, Nandi Hills subcounty. The water project which supplies over 200 households is part of the completed projects by the county.

The CECM later held a consultative forum with the resident who thanked the county government for helping them get clean water. They however requested that clearing, cleaning of the tank and fencing of the area be done for them to continue enjoying the clean water.

The Trust Fund Organization has partnered with the County Government of Nandi to fund the Lelmokwo water project that is set to help Four locations within Lelmokwo ward.

The Chief Officer to water Sally kemboi and a representative from the Trust Fund met with representatives from the said location to discuss on thetways the waterwproje rrwill reach out to the residents.

  The mega project is being funded by Trust Fund a grant from the government of Finland.

The Lelmokwo project is purposed to supply Biribiriet, Itigo, Lelmokwo and Mutwot locations. These areas are being surrounded by several institutions which will greatly benefit from this project.

The institutions include secondary schools, primary schools, Mosoriot TTC, Mosoriot MTC and Koitalel University. The area also boasts of a coffee factory, 3 timber treatment plants and other business premises which will also benefit.

The Committee aired their concerns and expectations towards the project. They thanked the Trust for building toilets for them and asked them to continue building them to ensure good sanitation around the area. The project is at 30% as the pipeline is already done and complete and is expected to be operational in a few months.

The project was supposed to be operational by now but they had to look for an alternative source after Uasin Gishu claimed ownership. The Committee has however established another source which was inspected.

Sally thanked the committee for owning the project and going out of their way to help out. She urged them to support the process till completion. The meeting was held at Biribiriet chief’s office where the Trust has built an office and toilets.

Nandi County has a good working relationship with the international communities and this has seen the county get several sponsors willing to join hands with the government to deliver services to the people. This is because the leadership has created a good and peaceful working  environment.

One such sponsor is Trust Fund from Finland which  has partnered to develop 5 mega water projects. These projects include Cheptil water project, Kobujoi water project, Kimngoror water project, Lelmokwo water project and Kimatkei. Some of these projects have kicked off and contractors are on site.  This translates to one project in every subcounty. The lelmokwo water project has the pipes already laid down.
The Trust fund partners had paid a courtesy call at the governors office where they met the deputy governor Dr Yulitta Cheruiyot, Chief of staff Stanley Baliach, Co water Sally kemboi and County director for water Richard Lelei. The deputy governor identified a need to have water managing programs through civic education which will educate the residents on the importance of managing water project. She also urged the sponsor to continue working with the county in other projects. She also suggested that water treatment plants be set to ensure people consume safe treated water.
Sanitation also featured heavily in the discussion as the fund has also constructed sanitation facilities in some schools in Nandi. This will help reduce diseases translating to healthy citizens. The Trust promised to work with the government to improve sanitation. A civic education programme will be rolled out soon.

The County Government of Nandi through the Department  of Lands, Environment, Natural resources, Water and Sanitation in partnership with Kenya Forest Service have  launched a tree planting exercise under the National Tree Planting Campaign in Nandi County.

Speaking to the team who had paid him a  courtesy call to his office, Governor Sang, reiterated his support in ensuring that the environment is well conserved. “We will strive to ensure that we achieve over 10% forest cover intended as a County through elaborate afforestation program and partnership with key Stakeholders involved in conservation” he added.

Nandi County Commissioner Mr. Kutswa Olaka asked KFS to have a clear report on the areas where trees have been planted during the planting seasons for accountability and to avoid instances of continuous planting at the same place.

CECM-LANDS Dr. Bureti emphasized on the need to carry out physical plan of the area for tree planting before the exercise begins  as this will reduce instances of destruction later.

Also present was NECC Secretary Dr. Chumo who had a warning message to all who have encroached public land.

Ecosystem Conservator Nandi Mr.Musikiton urged members present, institutions and farmers to  grow tree seedlings in their farms.  Nandi has 6 gazzetted forests where tree planting has been done.

The theme for this years programme is “Panda Miti Boresha Maisha”.

The County Department of Lands, Environment, Natural Resources, Water and Sanitation has a new CECM Dr. Philemon Bureti.

Dr. Bureti previously worked as the head of operations, finance, planning and administration at the department of Health and now takes the mantle from CECM Agriculture Dr. Kiplimo Lagat who has been in acting capacity at the department.

While assuming his new role, Dr. Bureti urged the departmental staff to work as a team for proper service delivery.

The handing over exercise was carried out by County Secretary Dr. Francis Sang and witnessed by Chief Officer Water and Sanitation Sally Kemboi, the Legal officer and the staff.