A confrontation between two groups living in Narok South Sub-County is on the verge of breaking out due to the terrible drought in some areas of Narok County.
Most pastoralist residents of the Elang'ata Enterit area accuse horticulture farmers of utilizing the Naroosura River to irrigate their crops, impeding the river's flow, and depriving them of water for their domestic use and cattle.
The water flow originates from the Enkong'u Enkare springs. It has allegedly been harmed by those who live upstream, who accuse them of obstructing the river to irrigate their fields and depriving pastoralists of the priceless resource.
Local authorities, including Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei, Naroosura/Maji Moto MCA Daniel Kilerai, and Narok First Lady Agnes Ntutu, visited the region in response to the dispute to avert full-fledged violence.
Did you read this?
The County MP threatened to lead the county security team in unblocking the river if the farmers living upstream did not comply with a seven-day deadline to restore river flow. She claims that although women may be gathering water from their usual river, which is now dry, they must travel great distances to do so.
The leaders advised farmers to establish a schedule for irrigation in which they would rinse at night and release water for pastoralists downstream in the morning.
The case of Narok county is close and similar to the one witnessed in Kajiado county, where parents are forced to sneak into schools for free lunch as a result of the biting drought in the county, which has led to the loss of livestock which is the primary source of income to the community.
As a result of the ongoing drought in the nation, USAID has donated a sum of 16 Billion to help curb the menace.
However, pressure is mounting on President William as governors from the drought-affected counties want him to declare drought as a national Disaster.
