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Many areas of West Pokot County are known for perennial water shortages, which force dwellers there to walk long distances in search of the precious commodity.

This, in turn, exposes themselves to insecurity due to rampant cases of banditry in the region.
However, this is set to be a thing of the past following the completion of a multi-million water project at Lomut area in Pokot Central Sub County.

The project funded by the government through the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has been completed and hundreds of households are now using the water for domestic use and irrigation, which is transforming the region also known for food shortages. And herders no longer have to struggle to find water for their livestock.

Under the Lomut irrigation scheme, the water project is helping pastoralists to diversify from overreliance on livestock to crop production due to water availability.

Game changer

Angeline Asiwatum, a farmer, hailed the project as a game changer in the region noting that they will not only get food from it but also generate income.

“Women have been the worst hit by water shortages as we have in the past been forced to walk long distances to search for water exposing us to armed bandits. School children will also benefit from the well,” said Asiwatum.

Simon Maimah, another resident, said that for the past years, the area has been facing challenges regarding farming, due to poor rainfall distribution experienced in the region.
“We now have access to clean water for household use and to feed our livestock. Children in schools can now quench their thirst with clean and safe water. We can now plant crops.

“We appreciate this support and hope to get more wells in the future,” he said.

KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos who toured the irrigation scheme accompanied by local leaders termed the project lifesaving for residents noting that the water will transform the lives of farmers at the 350-acre Lomut irrigation scheme.

According to Naporos, West Pokot County will receive Sh700 million to set up 15 water facilities, 10 boreholes and five dams that will serve 4,500 residents and 30,000 livestock.

“Water availability is now helping smallholder farmers grow their crops throughout the year.
We will do capacity building and exposure visits for farmers to know how to utilize the water,” said the official.

He said farming activities has been a challenge in the Lomut area as it receives little rainfall every year making it hard for the crops to survive and to practice crop diversification.

“The major drought tolerant crops grown in the area are sorghum and finger millet which is not enough for both nutritional diet and income generation,” said Naporos.