Water will transform the socio-economic life of the people. - Daniel Mutunga
Kithiani village (Kenya) covers an area of about 4-5 sq. Kms (sq. 3miles) and has a population of about 500 people. Geographically the area lies within the tropics and hence experiences high temperatures particularly in March and September.
It has two rain seasons November to January and March to May, but rain is highly unreliable. As a result, long droughts and severe famines are common features of this area. The natural vegetation in the area is mainly grass, bushes and acacia trees, most of which have been cut to pave way for agriculture or to make charcoal, which is a survival mechanism in times of drought and famine.
Although the area is endowed with fertile soils suitable for agriculture, and weather that favors livestock keeping, scanty and unreliable rainfall, animal diseases, and lack of pasture has denied people the freedom to utilize it.
Most people have lived in this area for a minimum of twenty years and although they moved to the region in search for better and larger land to farm, they are disillusioned. They got larger land than what they had where they migrated from, but it does not give them the returns they hoped for.
Food insecurity is high and frequent because of the inadequate and unreliable rainfall and lack of other sources of income. Apart from its effects on agriculture, the failure of rainfall denies people freedom to access water forcing them to cover long distances to fetch water, a journey that drains them of the energy they would have used in other survival activities.
Further, the water they fetch is not treated and hence the reason for waterborne diseases whose morbidity is high. The problem of waterborne diseases is a constant problem even during the rain season. The water sources available after the rains are shared with animals and livestock, thus exposing people to risks disease. There is higher morbidity rate during and immediately after rain seasons than in the dry ones.
Attempts to solve water problem/shortage
Shallow water wells (25 – 100 ft deep) have been dug manually and their yields are encouraging. This is an indication that there could be ample underground water in the area.
Administration
Public administration in Kenya follows the system set by the British when they colonized the country. At the grassroots we have village elders who are appointed by Assistant Chiefs who had a sub-location. The latter (Asst/Chiefs) are the lowest cadre in the administration hierarchy. So Kithiani is part of a sub-location, which is part of a Location headed by a Chief. Mayors are in major towns and cities.
Agricultural activities in the area
The village mainly relies on rain-fed agriculture as there is no water that can be used for irrigation. As mentioned above, rainfall is unreliable and as a result droughts and famine are common. Currently we are experiencing one of the severest famines in the region. Kithiani has not had a harvest for almost three years.
Having water will first and foremost improving people’s health. This should be the first priority. The area is good for livestock and people have big land for animals, particularly goats. Water will transform the socio-economic life of the people.
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