Residents who live downstream of the Ksh24 billion Karimenu II dam in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, are up in arms with the government following significantly decreased water levels over the past few weeks.
Residents say that the rapidly declining water levels along the river that forms the heart of water sources threaten the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the river for subsistence and agricultural purposes.
According to them, the major river, which has never dried since time immemorial is now identifiable by its rocky dried riverbeds.
Locals regretted that for three weeks now since impoundment of the mega-dam commenced, they have been forced to use motorbikes to search for water kilometres away from their residences, a situation they said is likely to plunge them into a serious crisis.
At home, they decried that water is now being used sparingly to avoid wastage, with most people now forced to bathe once while others have abandoned livestock farming as they cannot afford to quench their thirst.
The river that previously gushed down the highlands, offering sustenance to Kariua, Kanjuku, Kamwangi, Mang’u, and Gatukuyu villages is now on its deathbed.
Farmers who spoke to journalists decried that their plantations have started withering as a result of low water levels.
Some of the locals who practice farming near the riverbanks have started uprooting their crops as they can no longer withstand the harsh climate.
They warned that lack of water is likely to result in worsened food insecurity and malnutrition.
“I am digging to plant but not in this kind of situation. When we have no rainfall, we tap water from the now dried-up river to irrigate our crops. We are perturbed that this water crisis might result in a serious food crisis and waterborne diseases. Something urgent needs to be done to restore the lost glory of our river,” Albert Kimani, a farmer, said.
“This is the first story of the water crisis we are experiencing as locals since time immemorial. Our plantations have nothing to show as harvests and some of us are even opting to get rid of them to plant afresh,” Ann Nyambura, another farmer, added.
Local leaders led by former Gatundu North MP Kigo Njenga warned that unless urgent measures are taken to improve the management of water and land resources in the area, the situation will escalate into a crisis.
Kigo regretted that residents of Gatundu North will get a raw deal should the supply of water to areas of Juja, Ruiru, Gatundu South, and parts of Nairobi commence before they are given alternative sources of water.
“Residents of Gatundu North were shortchanged from the onset. We were promised alternative water projects but there is nothing to show so far, the dam contractor damaged our roads and he has not committed to repairing them now that the dam is almost complete. This is a crisis that if not arrested will leave us struggling as we quench the thirst of others,” said the former MP.
Once complete, the mega-dam will produce at least 26.5 billion litres of water which will be treated from the area and supplied to various areas in Kiambu and Nairobi counties.
The mega project has three main components, among them the dam, a water treatment plant of capacity 70,000m3/d, and 67km of raw and treated water pipeline ranging from DN 500mm to 1,000mm.
Two terminal tanks will also be constructed with of capacities 23,500m3 and 3,000m3 in Ruiru and Juja respectively.
Karimenu II Dam project entails the construction of a Dam of 59m in height and 26.5 million cubic metres storage volume to produce 70,000m3/d per day of drinking water.
