Residents of Ndumumu in Mwala, Machakos County have protested against the overdrawing of water from Ndumumu dam by private investors, which they fear might deplete supply of the precious commodity, which they mostly use for livestock and small-scale farming.
According to the enraged residents who have protested against the move, the dam has been their lifeline since 1993 and have diligently maintained it by using its water wisely and not overdrawing it for commercial purposes.
The residents, led by Caroline Katio, say they have lived peacefully for years sharing the dam water within the community, but there are several people trying to disrupt them by drawing the water at higher rates with the aim of selling it.
“This Ndumumu dam has sustained us for long and recently few investors have been overdrawing the water using pumping equipment and water bowsers for the purpose of doing business, which might soon dry up the dam,” said Katio.
This highlights the current drought struggles in the country, emphasising the importance of the crucial dam situated on the border of Kathiani and Mwala constituencies, which serves over 2000 residents.
One of the residents, Eunice Mutua, now says they will not allow this to happen and the dam should only be used for domestic use and watering of nearby fields because they have no other source of water, despite the drought situation already spreading to other parts of the country.
Timothy Kima, an elderly resident, says he was at the forefront during construction of Ndumumu dam while questioning the intention of the private investors trying to deplete the same.
On her part, Damaris Munyao called for intervention of the government, local leaders and other stakeholders to help in stopping the selfish investors.
The protest, done at the Ndumumu dam with residents raising placards and chanting solidarity songs prompted Kathiani Deputy Commissioner Mary Kamau to hold an emergency meeting with residents.
Kamau assured them that those being accused of over-extracting high water levels for commercial purposes have been contacted and have since removed their water pumping equipment from the dam, while urging for calm to allow the relevant authorities to do their work.
“I am imploring the residents to remain calm and not take matters into their own hands. I am calling on you to sit down and agree on how moving forward the dam water will be monitored to avoid the overextraction,” she said.
By Anne Kangero
