State to issue title deeds for Mau, Aberdares water towers

All land on gazetted water catchment areas will soon be issued with title deeds by the government.

As part of Kenya Water Tower Agency four year strategic plan, the government wants to secure the country's water towers, particularly the Aberdares and Mau forest which are said to have an economic impact of over Sh167 billion.

This is from the communities who depend solely waters from the two areas to carry out their economic activities mainly agriculture through irrigation.

Currently there are 48 water towers; 30 being newly identified yet to be gazetted.

Launching the plan alongside the Kenya Water Towers Status Report, KWTA Chair Isaac Kalua noted that just in 2015 alone, over 2,000 acres of water tower land had been encroached.

"Some of the people on these lands do pay to acquire space so just throwing them out is not always easy. For those already settled we need to teach them on how to co-exist with the natural habitat," said Kalua.

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However, Kalua added that issuance of title deeds will be the most long lasting solution as the land will be then fully protected by law and not just by gazette notice.

He further blamed area politicians for spearheading the encroachment: "We have leaders who defend people who have invaded these water towers just to satisfy their voters."

According to the status report, to date about 24 per cent of Mau land has been lost with only 44 title deeds of 1,250 hectares surrendered.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu noted that even as the country is spearheading its quest in industrial growth and development, cleaner consumption and models have to be adopted.

"As the population grows with the demand for land increasing due to urbanisation, the major challenge becomes on how to balance economic development and conservation programmes as they are intertwined," said the CS.

Kenya is said to lose close to Sh6 billion annually through illegal logging associated with the population pressure and how lucrative the sector is.

"A time is coming when water will be more precious than oil. Water crisis is not only a national issue but a global. We need to protect our mountains and forests reserves to be secure," said renowned conservationist Dr Richard Leakey who graced the event.