Kenyan govt moves to distil ancient dams to mitigate climate change

By Bisola Adeyemo

The Deputy Governor of Uasin Gishu county in Kenya, Daniel Chemno, has said that government will distil 330 water dams as a way to mitigate climate change and to improve agricultural system.

According to Chemno who spoke during an inspection tour of Chelabal Dam that occupies 11-acre piece of land in Soy Sub County, most of the dams are located in agriculturally rich areas where farming can be done continuously with availability of water.

He added that the effect of climate change has led to unbearable harsh weather conditions along with prolonged droughts.

To mitigate these effects, he stated that all dams will be desilt in phases in order to restore its natural capacity and ensure there is enough water for residents throughout the year, KNA reports.

“But since our farmers have for a long time depended on rainfed agriculture, the land remains unutilized once farmers harvest their maize, but with the rehabilitation of dams, farmers will get a reserve of harvested water that can be utilized during the dry season that will allow them engage in small scale irrigation.

“The farming community will have new sources of reliable water supply that will enable them to engage in income-generating ventures through small scale irrigation such as vegetables growing, passion fruits, and Irish potatoes farming, as well as fish farming since the dams will be stocked with fish fingers,” Chemno added.

The youths can also use the dams to initiate income-generating projects such as small-scale horticultural farming, fish farming to earn some income and uplift their standards of living, he added.