No more pollution at Chepkoibet Spring in Bomet

NCCK South Rift Program Coordinator John Nairuko during a recent inspection tour of the spring. NCCK with other donors financed the protection of the spring.PHOTO/GILBERT KIMUTAI.

KENYA: Jerrican in hand, Alice Tuei confidently walks down a staircase at Chepkoibet Spring, Bomet Central to fetch water for her family’s use.

Slightly over six months ago, it would not have been easy to access this spring as the place was covered in mud and the water polluted.

“Due to neglect, this water spring was slowly dying out after siltation, caused by soil erosion from surrounding farms took a toll on it,” she said.

However, this changed following intervention from conservationist and sponsors who worked together to restore the spring which serves up to 4,000 people across nine villages.

Before this was done the spring would become a source of conflict, especially during the dry spells, as villagers fought to access the precious commodity.

“Some would engage in actual fist fights while others were forced to spend days and nights here queuing to fetch water for domestic use and for their livestock,” Tuei said.

Nyongores Water Resource Users Association Secretary Paul Rono confirmed that the spring was almost becoming extinct saying it was its preservation that jolted them into action.

“Planting of water consuming trees and felling of indigenous ones, soil erosion caused by poor farming activities are not only affecting our springs but also our rivers,” he says.

He says rehabilitation of the spring was made possible because National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) was conducting a land use management programme along the Mara eco-system.

“Through support of various donors, NCCK stepped in to save the spring from imminent destruction,” he said.

NCCK South Rift Programme coordinator John Nairuko said their intervention has seen the quality of water at the spring and its quantity improve significantly as well as a reduction in conflict.

“Water borne diseases that have been rampant in this region are also no more since our intervention. This is because pollution has been reduced with the fencing and cementing of this water source,” he said.

Nairuko said the project was made possible with funds from international donors and support from the local community.

Indigenous trees have also been planted around the area to ensure that a forest grows with Nairuko saying this will help keep the water clean.