Egerton University is set to hand over the rehabilitation site at Entiyian catchment area, one of the sources of Njoro River to Narok County Government after conserving it for 11 years.
The University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Research and Extension Prof. Bernard Aduda said the institution has been spearheading the rehabilitation efforts since 2012 as there was a need to address the negative effects of degradation of the river.
He added the university collaborated with the local Maa community and managed to secure the source of the river in Olkruto area, Narok North Sub County and reclaimed a section of the river at a dumpsite in Njoro Sub County.
The university, he said, will be handing over the two sites to the respective county governments for management and conservation in future days.
“The rehabilitation was necessitated by the need to address the negative effects of the degradation of the river that had adversely affected communities in Narok and Nakuru counties,” he said.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor who doubles as the Chair of the Mau-Egerton University Cross Country was accompanied by Prof. Charles M’Erimba and Institution’s communication Manager Ms. Agnes Murugi.
They visited the catchment area before holding a meeting with the Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde and Narok Chief of Staff Francis Wanyeki, in preparation of the handing over event that will be held on 23rd February 2024.
Some of the challenges faced in reclaiming the water catchment land are siltation, encroachment by the local community, use of planted trees for firewood among others.
The Egerton University collaborated with other partners among them, Co-operative Bank, KCB Bank and Media houses to rehabilitate the land.
Masinde advised the local chief to be in the forefront of protecting the catchment land by arresting people who cut down trees and destroy the river source.
River Njoro stretches over 60 kilometers through Neissuit, Mauche, Ngata and Barut in Nakuru County before emptying into Lake Nakuru.
By Ann Salaton
