Scare in Narok as rivers dry up

Scare in Narok as rivers dry up

Narok residents on Thursday, September 29 called on the local and national governments to take urgent measures to curb massive environmental degradation in areas bordering the Mau Forest that is now affecting their lives and livestock.

Several rivers have dried up including Olodaare Olkilenyai and Enkare Ngusurr at Eor Ekule area in Narok East Sub-County with residents blaming it on the clearing of indigenous trees to pave way for tomato farming and charcoal burning.

“Plenty of water used to flow on this river but that is no longer the case since the Mau was destroyed,” said a resident, adding “if the forest is not restored, our lives will be in danger.”

One resident told Citizen Digital that it was shocking to witness the drying up of the rivers, an occurrence she has never witnessed before in her life.

In addition, the residents are blaming farmers who use irrigation for hastening the drying up of the rivers and putting their health at risk with ‘chemicals’ used in tomato farming finding their way into the rivers.

However, the Narok County Environment Executive, Margaret Nkumum, assured residents that they have created policies in conjunction with National Environment and Management Authority and other authorities to protect the Mau Forest.

But the residents have demanded the immediate end to the destruction of the Mau Forest, especially now they are experiencing the effects of continued environmental degradation.

By Mary Lolchoki

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