By Peter Kagiri
Water is a
natural resource; a basic commodity for human being. Unfortunately for the residents
of Kabati in Laikipia West District clean piped water has only remained
literally as a pipe dream. In this semi arid land things are not the same .Water
is a tale. There are only two little dams, unfortunately 8km apart. For
schools, Nature Walk is critical in this part of the country. Pupils have to be
taken for trips to see what a stream or even a river looks like!
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| Kabati resident carts water |
Of great concern
is that a medical officer in the area has declared the water unsafe for not
only human consumption but also domestic use. This is after carrying out a
sample test of the water. In spite of this, most locals are still using the
water seeing that they have to walk long distances looking for water. Fate
seems to be on their side and their determination in the life ahead has made
them to rely on it despite its impending fatality.
Those who heeded
to the expert’s advice have to trek long distances with their donkeys to a dam
nicknamed “red dam” for their only hope of survival. The worst of this
condition is during the months of December, January and February. This is
because in that period, the area receives hardly a drop of rain. During this period,
families have to search for water which also proves hard to come by. Livelihood
is almost halted at this time as education is not spared. School going children
have to stop their learning and help the rest of the family to get water.
The Kabati
problem has not escaped the political eye. Every politician has been using it
as a campaign tool. A dream of clean piped water is now the catch phrase of
many politicians touring the area.
It is the
hope of the residents that with the coming of county governments, the problem
is going to be addressed. The locals dream of a future with water; clean water
for domestic as well as for irrigation. It is not lost to them that a Good
Samaritan will read this story and bring salvation along their way.
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