Sand dams are returning optimism to Makueni County’s once-hopeless citizens.
As Kenyans celebrated World Environment Day on Wednesday, scores of farmers spoke about the benefits of dams in “once very dry” areas.
Locals commemorated the day by planting 20 bamboo plants as part of efforts to protect the Ikolia River in Malili division, Kilome sub-county.
This year’s subject was “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
Residents also cleaned up Kiu market to commemorate the day.
They noted that the achievements were realized after years of struggle, and when former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana banned sand harvesting in the county.
They fought the sand harvesters in order to rehabilitate, conserve and protect rivers.
The fight turned physical, and several people lost their lives while others sustained injuries in parts like Kasikeu within the same sub-county.
In 2017, after successfully pushing out the fierce sand harvesters, residents constructed the Ikolia sand dam.
The ban on sand harvesting gave rise to opportunities to construct various dams across the county.
“But when Kibwana banned sand harvesting, it has helped us restore rivers. People are now farming in numbers.
The crops they grow include vegetables, maize, sugarcane, avocados, mangoes and beans.
Duncan Muli said the area was a desert between 2014 and 2015.
“We have things to be proud of as a community. Sand dams. Previously, this area was very dry. But, when we sat as a community and strategized on how we could reclaim this river, we have achieved lots of development,” Muli said.
Residents have been sensitized and now understand the importance of environmental conservation.
“When the youth were sensitized on alternative sources of livelihoods, our rivers started piling sand. Now, we have water, women no longer walk long distances for the commodity since clean water is available in abundance,” Muli said.
Disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria are no longer as prevalent as before, due to improved hygiene and sanitation among residents.
The youth are also economically empowered as they have taken up farming, with some becoming self-employed.
“Youth involvement in crime alongside drug and substance abuse has equally gone down,” Muli said.
Inades Formation Kenya Program Director John Mutua said Ikonia river was highly degraded when the NGO got to the area.
“The negative impact of the then rampant and uncontrolled sand harvesting in this area was high. But, with our intervention in collaboration with the county government of Makueni, we have been able to work with the community towards conservation of land and rivers, and as you can see, there is sand accumulation and locals are farming along the river.
