Clash looms over water in Laikipia and Meru

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

A row is looming between residents of Laikipia East and Buuri Constituencies over diversion of water by those living upstream.

There have been claims that flower and horticulture farmers have diverted water to their farms.

Last week's calls to have the water allowed to flow were ignored as the farmers upstream went back to their activities.

The affected areas are in Umande ward thus accelerating human and wildlife conflict over water and pasture. The affected rivers are Timau, Gakeu, Sirimon and Nyariginu originating from Mt Kenya forest.

MPs Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) and Sarah Korere (Laikipia North) said they will lead a team to assess the situation and uproot the illegal intakes.

During a meeting at Mwireri market in Umande ward attended by Governor Joshua Irungu, Kiunjuri and Korere said the affected residents should move upstream and uproot the illegal intakes.

"We shall have mattocks to ensure we accomplish our mission to allow the rivers flow freely," said Kiunjuri, adding that he was under pressure from the residents of Daiga.

Korere said herders in her walk long distances due to scarcity of water.

Separately, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindiki said Buuri residents were ready to protect their investments from destruction.

"If Laikipia leadership is not ready for a talk we are ready to face them," said the MP.