Long, dry spell for locals as dam inherited from white settlers ‘die’

A man and his son relax at the shores of Damside Dam in Borabu Nyamira County on June 24, 2021.[Sammy Omingo,standard]

Borabu Constituency in Nyamira County holds more than 12 schemes and a fertile area.

Here, locals live large thanks to sufficient earnings from both farming and non-farming activities.

The area is populated with huge tracts of lands that were once owned by white settlers during the pre-colonial period.

Borabu Settlement Scheme boasts of some of the best views in Nyamira County. Undulating hills and lush farms coupled with the clean crisp air of an unpolluted countryside is irresistible.

The name ‘Borabu’ translates to ‘light’ and the majority of locals seem to have seen the light long before independence. Here, individuals own more than 10 acres each, with affluent families having between 50 and 100 acres in their names.

Land currently goes for between Sh800,000 and Sh2 million an acre in the scheme. The price is, however, higher in Mwongori, Simbauti, Matutu and Tindereti schemes along the main Kisii-Sotik road, and much lower in Isoge, Keneni and along the Sotik-Borabu road.

Beneath these luring farms are more than eight dams that were constructed by white settlers backs in the late 60s. The dams were constructed for irrigation purposes in large-scale farms.

Missionaries built schools and connected water from the dams to the schools.

For years, Mekenene Dam has been the source of water for irrigation for the farmers. The dam was on its way to extinction a few years ago until the Lake Basin Development Authority undertook some maintenance.

The dam is now a source of clean water for the nearby LBDA fish farming project. The nearly four-acre dam, also offers a spectacular view to revellers visiting the adjacent Amanzi resort. However, the picture is different in Nyansiongo, Kijauri, Isoge, Mecheo, and Eronge.

Private developers

At Nyansiongo, locals have planted blue gum trees less than five metres away. Other private developers have also encroached land around the dam and built homes.

Peter Mokua, a local, says they depend on water from the dam for survival

“We are staring at a possible disaster. The Government should find a way to safeguard this important resource. The area should be fenced to avoid further encroachment,” says Mokua.

Adams Masaki, a retired teacher and also a resident of Nyansiongo location, says the dam should be renovated.

“The Government should look into the dam’s capacity and the possibility of supplying water to adjacent homes. It is unfortunate that we have not been able to think of better ways to utilize the available water more than 50 years after the white settlers left.”

According to residents, the dam’s size has diminished from two and half acres, to an acre or less.

This has been partly linked to the planting of blue gums that has resulted to its depletion.

Borabu MP Ben Momanyi says water from the dams should be improved.

“With proper consultations among Government agencies, this situation can be improved. I will talk to relevant bodies on the way forward,” says the MP.

Ecosystem

Former environmentalist at National Environment Management Authority (Nema), Samson Bokea says the dams can be renovated not only to serve locals, but also, as a way to conserve the environment.

“This is a major ecosystem that should not be left to grind down. The dams should be maintained by planting the rights around the area.”

According to Bokea, the dams were planned as necessary to supply relatively large of water required for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes.

“Dams play an important role to meet the large water demands. We need to conserve these dams. Further, have flood control measures in order to efficiently utilise the limited resources.”

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