Samburu residents seek gov’t facilitation for irrigation

Residents of Samburu County are now calling upon the government to help them construct a dam and drill boreholes in the county for use in irrigation, something they say will help them venture into crop farming and improve their food security and livelihood.

The residents lamented over their long-term over-dependence on livestock farming, which has proved costly because of the drought menace that has been killing their animals, notwithstanding cattle rustling that has developed into banditry attacks in the region.

Joseph Lemoosa, a resident from Tuum in Samburu North, told Citizen Digital that the proposal would not be difficult for the governmet to implement, as there is water in some nearby mountains.

“There is plenty of water in this nearby mountain. If government could drill that water and supply to the community we would adopt drip irrigation to yield our own food instead of depending on relief aid all these years,” he said.

Chris Lenayesho, another resident, pleaded with the government to ensure that livestock farmers in the region have been provided with extension services and scientific advice on the more profitable breeds of cows to keep.

“It would be better if famers are empowered with skills and finance to rear dairy cows which are more profitable than indigenous ones,” said Lenayesho.

On his part, Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal, urged the residents to share the limited resources during this drought season and co-exist peacefully.

He assured them of the government’s commitment to improve their lives through destocking of weak drought-stricken livestock as well as water tracking.

Story edited by Majanga Michael