The construction of boreholes to address water crises in Laikipia County has been termed as unsustainable due to adverse effects of climate change.
Mount Kenya region water conservationists, speaking at a Nanyuki hotel during a Mount Kenya Ewaso water partnership annual general meeting, said that groundwater was not enough to serve residents in the long run and encouraged water harvesting during rainy seasons.
“The amount of rainfall annually is still the same only that it rains in a very short time. That makes it hard for the water to penetrate on the ground and recharge the aquifers for us to benefit with borehole water,” said Eng Stanley Kirimi, the Mt. Kenya Ewaso water partnership coordinator.
Nyeri County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Water and Environment Fredrick Wanjohi said that the government was encouraging the use of water pans for water harvesting.
“Every household should have a tank for water harvesting since climate change is dangerous and we need to be equipped. We need to conserve our water towers and rehabilitate those affected,” said Wanjohi.
On his part, Mt Kenya Ewaso partnership chairman John Kinoti called for the revenue generated through river use permits and that from donors to be prudently reinvested in water conservation.
Kinoti further appealed for partnership from other stakeholders aimed at conserving water sources and ensuring residents benefited through addressing water shortage.
The clarion call for rainy water harvesting comes as the county is faced with water shortages following Nanyuki Water and Sanitation start of water rationing citing low flows from Likii River where it draws its water for residents.
By Muturi Mwangi
