Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago has called for more allocations for conservation of forests and water points as a proactive effort to avoid water shortage “inspired” by population growth and expansion of urban centres.
Mr Mandago said water conservation, including restricted felling of forests and planting of more tress, should be given more attention since the demand for the vital commodity increases with growth of towns.
He proposed a Sh3 million budget for annual conservation race, stressing that the quest was equally important.
“Forests are the biggest assets in the country at the moment because they are determinants whether we will drink water tomorrow or not and this is a commodity which we cannot live without,” Mr Mandago said.
“And it is for this reason that I call for seriousness to keep this sector on its toes. Everyone should accept the obligation that conservation of water sources and reservoirs is each and every person’s responsibility,” he added.
The county chief was speaking on Thursday as he inspected dams including the Chebara Dam which channels tens of thousands of cubic meters per day to Eldoret and Iten towns in North Rift region.
Mr Mandago inspected several other dams that need to be revamped to increase water volumes.
The governor said Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties were working to set up a project that will see expansion of the vital Chebara Dam water reservoir and to see to it that the surrounding villages are provided with piped water.
“Our two counties share what comes out of this water reservoir. What we are working on at the moment is a comprehensive project within which will ensure the people conserving water bodies get water," he said.
The project which starts this year will see large volumes of water in Murgoin Dam channeled to serve Meibeki, Megun and Moiben Wards which are up the hills and cannot get water from Chebara.
“These people within the locality are doing a great job of conservation the towers. These localities also, like any other areas within the county should get water,” he said.
Chebara and Megun areas have thick forests which act as crucial water towers for the bigger North Rift region.