Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Chairman, Mark Chesergon, has assured residents that the abandoned irrigation schemes within the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties due to insecurity challenges that it will be revived.
Speaking during the commissioning of Kolowa Secondary School and community borehole in Tiaty West Sub-County, Chesergon stated that the organization was ready to revive Kolowa – Tot irrigation Scheme and other water projects now that calm has been restored in the region.
He noted that the area has a huge agricultural potential of maize, beans, tomatoes, vegetables, green gram, watermelon and mangoes which can turn around the livelihood of residents.
“We shall do resource mobilization and see a way forward to continue with farming in Tot and Kolowa farms which share the water of Kerio river,” he said.
The KVDA Chairman said they will team-up with other development partners to ensure that local farmers embark on crop farming, especially at the over 40 acres Kolowa farm which has not been in use for over seven years.
He stated that the programme, apart from boosting food security, seeks to capacity build farmers until they learn the benefits of farming whose rewards are sweeter than the outdated cattle rustling and banditry.
Tiaty West Sub County Administrator Moses Akeno, who attended the event noted that the Kolowa – Tot irrigation Scheme was a game changer to the two communities of Pokot and Marakwet thus it needs to be looked into soonest.
“When we see the Kolowa- Tot irrigation scheme without any agricultural activity in it, it makes us think twice,” he said.
Christian Impact Mission Founder Bishop Titus Masika in his remarks called for establishment of alternative livelihoods programmes within the Kerio Valley region in order to transform the area whose land he said has not been properly utilized.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
