Kenyans Urged to Prioritize Rainwater Harvesting Amid Short Rains Period

Last Updated 3 weeks ago by Kenya Engineer

In light of the ongoing short rains period, Eng. Eric Mugaa, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MoWSI), has issued a rallying call for all Kenyans to focus on rainwater harvesting and storage. Highlighting the country’s pressing water scarcity, Eng. Mugaa emphasized that Kenya’s water storage capacity stands at an alarming 107-108 cubic meters per capita, far below the global average for both developing and developed nations.

According to Eng. Mugaa, inadequate water storage has significantly contributed to Kenya’s persistent food insecurity and recurrent flooding issues. He pointed out that the high cost of constructing water storage facilities is a considerable barrier but underlined that efforts are underway to address these challenges.

The Kenyan government is currently advancing the construction of three major dams to bolster the nation’s water storage infrastructure:

• Thwake Dam Phase I: Approximately 90% complete, with an expected completion date of April 2025.
• Mwache Dam in Kwale: Currently at around 15% completion.
• Siyoi Muruny Dam in West Pokot: Progressing well, with 80% of construction complete.

Despite these significant projects, Eng. Mugaa stressed that large-scale dams alone are insufficient to meet Kenya’s water storage needs. To complement these efforts, the government has initiated the Community Household Water Harvesting Program, which aims to support farmers in building water pans on their farms. While effective in the short term, Eng. Mugaa noted that water pans face challenges such as siltation over time, requiring periodic maintenance.

Eng. Mugaa called on Kenyan farmers to implement their own rainwater harvesting measures to supplement the government’s initiatives. “Storing rainwater not only mitigates flooding downstream but also plays a crucial role in addressing food security and reducing social conflicts over water resources,” he stated, adding that Kenya cannot rely solely on rainfed agriculture to solve its food supply challenges.

The Cabinet Secretary also revealed that the government plans to irrigate over 44,000 acres of land annually as part of its broader strategy to reduce food deficits. As an example, Eng. Mugaa highlighted Kenya’s 700,000 metric tonne deficit in rice production, illustrating the urgent need for enhanced water management and irrigation systems.

Eng. Mugaa’s message is clear: collective action from both the government and citizens is essential to ensure sustainable water management and long-term food security for the nation.