West Pokot County has experienced extended long rains spiraling into the traditionally dry months.
Dickson Rotich, a Sengwer elder who is also the community spokesman said this phenomenon is only comparable to 1961, when rains were so heavy they caused a bumper harvest.
Rotich said during that time the rains pounded the region almost the whole year with bouts of extreme cold, which is a replica of what is being experienced currently.
The elder said the rain is the work of nature and human beings have little control over it, asking residents to take it as an advantage.
Rotich said people suffered owing to the scanty dressing culture at the time, noting that now the people were more prepared due the availability of a variety of warm clothing to keep warm to avoid the effects of cold weather.
He said the rains were a blessing to the people as they provided the residents with an opportunity to plant a wide range of crops.
He challenged the residents to also take advantage and plant more trees to restore the huge forest cover in Cherangany Hills.
“The Sengwer community is known to stay around forested areas, but over the years and due to increased human activity, there has been lots of forest degradation leaving bare hills and valleys. With these rains people can engage in tree planting activities to give the area its once green scenery,” advised Rotich.
He further observed that with the improved agricultural technology, a variety of crops available on the market can be introduced to improve the people’s nutrition. Unlike when people had been accustomed to the popular maize crop that can easily be affected by the prolonged rains.
“Maize farmers are staring at imminent post-harvest losses owing to the delayed harvesting,” says Rotich who is also a maize farmer.
He lauded the government’s pledge to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032 as directed by President William Ruto saying the move will restore the otherwise degraded ecosystem owing to the ongoing heavy downpours within the county.
He regretted that previous tree planting moves were adversely affected by erratic rains which made the survival of the planted trees unlikely.
By Richard Muhambe
