Roaring to life

Kimaya waterfalls during the rainy season when the flow is fast and furious. (PHOTO: NICHOLAS CHERUIYOT/ STANDARD)

Kimaya village in Chepalungu, Bomet County may pass off as another sleepy village but within it is tucked a breathtaking wonder of nature.

The Kimaya waterfalls is not only captivatingly beautiful, it is also an ideal relaxation spot, an unexplored source of energy and ideal water source for irrigation purposes.

The waterfalls, found twelve kilometres from Bomet town along the Bomet - Siongiroi road, are an extension of River Nyongores that snakes its way from Mau Forest before making the ten foot drop that is Kimaya.

The water falls down causing a huge thud that is sweet music to ears of many picnic lovers who throng the place regularly.

It gets even more breathtaking and picturesque when the rains diminish and the water levels go down. Huge rock boulders that appear to be gazing at the natural mystic are, during this time, easily spotted and they are a sight to behold.

The water cascades down in five chunks, the huge one being in the middle flanked by the other four to jointly make sweet thunderous noise.

All this changes once it rains and the water flow becomes fast, furious with a loud, thunderous sound. As the waters crash down the rocks, they become foamy and produce a whitish mist.

Just next to this wondrous sight of nature stands a wooden structure that houses a grinding contraption that was set up in the 1960’s but still roars to life to serve locals by crashing maize seeds to make flour.

The machine’s engine is powered by water tapped just before they reach the water fall. The old structure is perched atop resilient humongous tree poles and beneath it is a cool shade where one can cool their heels as they watch the day go by.

Perched atop the many big trees here are birds of different kinds serenading the scene with sweet music making it an ideal site for lovers, families and friends.

Many a musician from Bomet have recorded videos of their songs here and the results have been good thanks to the good background that the water fall offers.

Locals say there used to be huge black mamba snakes that would slither around looking for flour droppings from the grinder but that these have since disappeared.

On one side of the river, near the falls, is half an acre of public land which visitors use to relax and or play. Not far from the falls is a pool that is tied to the local Kipsigis community boys initiation ceremonies.

Mayelo Rono, a resident of Kimaya, says since time immemorial, the site has served Kimaya and its neighbours during the initiation rites for their young sons held every December.

Rono says apart from picnic lovers who visit the place to bond, secondary school students throng Kimaya falls as part of their learning process.

Victor Koech, an electrical engineer from Kimaya says electric power can be tapped from the water fall.

“A non-governmental organisation, Viability Africa, has visited the water fall and is in process of making this dream a reality,” he said.