Residents of Umande ward in Laikipia County are calling on relevant authorities to take stern action against farmers obstructing rivers upstream illegally for irrigation.
They have decried that for months, they have been without reliable access to water for domestic use amid the ongoing drought in the region.
Residents claim that the river Sirimon which they depend on, has been diverted upstream affecting those living downstream.
Margaret Wambui, a resident of Umande ward, said that lack of safe domestic water for usage was putting them at a risk of contracting waterborne diseases.
“All rivers have dried up. We try to seek assistance but our plea has not been addressed. We want river obstruction to stop so that we can have access to water for domestic use,” said Wambui.
She revealed that they are currently walking long distances to access borehole water, claiming it was not reliable.
At the same time, a local lawyer, Mwangi Maingi has filed a petition at the Nanyuki Law Court against horticultural farmers and Water Resource Association (WRA) in the area seeking stricter regulations and preventing further upstream river blockage.
“We are compelling WRA and horticultural farms to be regulated on rivers diversion upstream at the expense of those living downstream. They have violated the constitution and water is a basic need,” asserted Maingi.
By Muturi Mwangi
