Official warns over water

An official has blamed farming on drying up of water sources in Taita Taveta. Taita district water officer John Mwololo said farming by residents living at the hilltops have caused water towers to dry up. Currently most parts of the region have been hit by water shortages, affecting business and development  in the region.

Mwololo said most water catchments in the area have been disturbed by wanton destruction of the environment resulting to perennial water shortages. He warned that the ongoing water crisis in the county could worsen if strict conservation measures are not put in place. “There were a lot of streams in early 90s but they are no longer there due to poor farming methods and other related human activities,” Mwololo said.

Meanwhile, the county’s water officer  Bryson Mwambi blamed the problem to climate change that has resulted to global warming. “Due to global warming being witnessed in the world currently, rains have reduced.With rain shortage it means that the underground recharge of water goes low thus further worsening the situation,” he said.

Mwambi said that the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) has embarked on efforts to secure water catchment areas by involving residents at the grassroots. He revealed that eight sub-catchment management plans have been identified in Taita and plans are underway to embark on the conservation process. “At every identified sub-catchment there will be what we call the Water Resources Users Association (RUAs). The RUAs will be composed of mainly locals and will assist WARMA in the implementation,” he said.The official urged the community members to practice water harvesting.