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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Food for Assets water pan improving livelihoods in Baringo county

By Henry Nyamweya
FFA joint monitoring team observing the events at Chepkoryande water pan

More than 140 Households of kimalel location livelihood economic status is changing very fast after the completion of Chepkoryande Water Pan.

The project, also known as Kinyach water pan, is situated in Kimalel Sub-location in Marigat Division approximately 6km from Marigat town along Kabarnet road.

Seven villages in Kinyach, Kibele, Kiwanja Ndege, Kibangara, Ngembo ware, Kipuyang among others with an estimated population of 2500 people are being served by this project. The Internally Displaced people from Arabal area are among the beneficiaries.
Benson Kangogo  FFA coordinator,  Baringo County during joint monitoring at Chepkoryande water pan

"The facility was designed to hold a capacity of 14,300M3 of water upon completion but due to short rains of between October and Mid-December, the water pan achieved a capacity of 7,850M3 of water, said Benson Kangogo, FFA Officer Baringo County.

He added that, it was meant to be done by 126 households working and 14 household vulnerable under the Food For Assets project.

"This project started in August, 2012 and has so far used 61.488 metric tons of food distributed and ksh. 172,610/= for the purchase of working tools. As a result of this, the local community managed to work by giving human labour to achieve the anticipated project target and work norms,’’ said Nyariki Jeremiah technical officer, World Vision Marigat IPA.

This has assisted in community mobilization and active participation while implementing the project.
“The general outcomes of Chepkoryande Water Pan are that the local community and livestock distance to water sources has greatly reduced from 7km to 3km. At the same time, farming skills and diversified livelihood have been positively impacted in this area," said Peter Kimathi, Baringo County Resilience officer.

He further said that project management and maintenance skills have also been acquired during the project implementation phase whereby gender issues have been addressed in leadership and active participation.

"During the dry season most of the people come as far as  Egerton University Chemeron field station to get water from Chepkoryande water pan. Our livestock are frequently knocked down by speeding vehicles as they cross the road to access water point,” said Wilson Kelwon, one of the local community members.

However, Mr. Wilson kelwon asserted that the local community livelihood has improved in terms of milk production by about 5%, goats’ production by about 6% and at least 2% to 5% beehives per household across the area.

“We thought we could not make by our own hands, we have been trained to work for the assets that can serve us in the process of changing our living standards. Our livestock get water at this source having worked hard for it. We could spend more than six hours looking for  water at a time like this. Look, I can wash my clothes here and after this, I will carry my water home. Thanks a lot to FFA Officials for considering us for this water facility,’’ said Nelly kiptoo, one of the women beneficiaries.

It is anticipated that the local community are likely to introduce Income generating Activities (IGAs) like Tree/ Fruits nursery within the project area. At least 5000 seedlings are targeted this season. Bee keeping is attracting many people at the moment as it fetches high profits within the shortest time.

"More water facilities like this are urgently needed in this area to reduce congestion and massive soil erosion. At the same time it will reduce the likelihood of accidents and water resources conflicts. We propose Kokchiante village because it is strategically positioned across the road. We shall appreciate if FFA and World Vision will do this to us," said Mr. David Chemwotei, Secretary to the project.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Lake Baringo, International tourists’ point



By Olemerige Samuel, Elijah Rutto, Yemit Irene.
 
Lake Baringo is approximately 300 Kilometres away from Nairobi. It is found to the North of Marigat town in Baringo County, around 20 Kilometres. It is one of the Great Rift Valley’s fresh water lakes.  There are a lot of activities taking place in the Lake and its environs, fishing, Canoeing, boat riding and so forth.

The communities living around the Lake are the Ilchamus, Tugens, and Pokots.The Ilchamus cover a major part of the Lake. The Pokots are found in Komolion while Tugens have settled in the areas of Bartum/Loruk.
The road network to Lake Baringo is dilapidated. The tarmac road is full of deep and perilous potholes. Tourists both local and foreign have to bear the agony of the rough road all the way to the Lake. They part with money in the form of levies, charged at a barrier at the out skirts of Kampi Ya Samaki.
This barrier also is the entrance to a reptile’s park which is on the left hand side of the main road. There is a small green metallic gate leading to the reptile’s park, and above the gate is a sign post written County Council of Baringo. Unfortunately, the sign post has been altered and words are upside-down and therefore needs to be put in the correct manner to sell the county council of Baringo in a dignified way.