Residents of Makima ward stage a demonstration of river blockage

Residents in Makima ward, in Mbeere South Sub County demonstrated Thursday, over blockage of river Thiba which supplies them with water.
Led by Personal Assistant to the area MCA Philip Nzangi, the angry residents accused National Irrigation Board for blocking the river in Mwea, Kirinyaga County hence curtailing water supply on the lower region.
“Thiba River has been blocked at Kangiciri area in Kirinyaga, affecting the flow of water downstream which has resulted to severe lack of water and dying of fish,” noted the Personal Assistant Samson Muthiani.
Muthiani observed that the residents of Makima ward have suffered for a long time owing to blockage of the river hence affecting their lives.
“Farmers who have taken loans are helplessly watching their crops die wondering how they will repay their loans once their crops fails,” he added.
He lamented that Thiba River which is a natural river has been turned into a canal for irrigating rice fields in Mwea.
A resident, Ziporah Wanjiru said since the river was blocked two weeks ago, they are now being forced to get water from Kamburu dam which is five kilometres away.
“We are risking our lives by fetching water from Kamburu dam which is five kilometres away or alternatively we are forced to use dirty stagnant water along the drying river valley,” she stated.
Wanjiru noted they were afraid of water borne diseases due to usage of dirty stagnant water and she appealed to county government to come to their rescue.
Another resident Mugo Kombo, blamed the NIB for blocking the river hence cutting access of water to Makima residents, adding that both Embu and Kirinyaga County governments should look into the matter and find a solution so as to bring to an end to the suffering of the residents in Makima.
The angry residents also lamented on lorries coming to collect sand from the river banks and they forced the vehicles to offload sand they had loaded.
Efforts to reach area Deputy County Commissioner Charles Igiha for his comment bore no fruits since he was out on official duty.
By Kimani Tirus