Mbeere residents protest diversion of Thiba river water
By KNA, February 16, 2023A water dispute is simmering between residents of Mbeere sub-county in Embu and neighbouring Kirinyaga county over diversion of Thiba river by farmers in Kirinyaga to irrigate rice fields.
The situation has aggravated the biting drought experienced in Mbeere that is classified as Arid and Semi Arid Area (ASAL) as their only source of domestic and irrigation water has been disconnected for close to a month now.
Residents have now called for fair sharing of the river water resource as the sanitation crisis looms since they are forced to share the remaining stagnant waters in the drying riverbed with their livestock.
They said the threat of an outbreak of waterborne diseases was real as the little water that is finding its way downstream is the excess water draining from the rice fields and is dirty and polluted with chemical residue.
“We fear the water we are drawing in this river is no longer safe for drinking as it has even turned green in color,” complained farmer Bernard Karogoti while pleading with their neighbors to be sensitive to their needs. He said if not mitigated, such human activities will worsen the drought situation and lead not only to loss of livelihoods but lives as well. Another farmer, Evans Kithaka, called on leaders from both counties to intervene. Area Member of County Assembly Muriithi Kiura warned that if the stalemate is not addressed soon, it could fuel inter-county clashes.
Area Member of County Assembly Muriithi Kiura warned that if the stalemate is not addressed soon, it could fuel inter-county clashes.
He said even though the river is the main source of water for newly constructed Thiba Dam, not all of it should be allowed to drain into the dam leaving communities downstream with nothing.
“All other small and seasonal rivers around here have dried up and Thiba remains our only hope and we are asking our good neighbors to allow us also have access to this shared resource,” MCA Kiura said.