Community groups move to protect water sources

Kakamega, Tuesday, June 6, 2023

KNA by Evans Stoba/Evans Mutethia

Kukuza Mazingira community group from Likuyani sub county in Kakamega is supporting efforts to preserve water sources to make water available and clean for use by community members.

Speaking to KNA, Rev. Patrick Nziani, who is the founder of the group said they have planted trees across eight river banks in the sub county and have mapped out 56 springs to protect.

He said Kukuza Mazingira which is an umbrella body of about 12 self-help groups with over 600 members has also established 10 tree nurseries with over 100 000 tree seedlings.

“We are moving around to plant indigenous trees in river sources and in public institutions including schools,” he noted.

In Lurambi Sub County, the chairman of Lurambi Water Users Association Butichi Mukanzi said they have mobilized community members to protect water sources by planting indigenous trees and ensuring proper dumping of waste.

“We have a team that collects plastic bottles and other harmful materials every week to control incidents where plastics are washed downstream ending up in rivers especially during the rainy season, " he said.

He also noted that they work closely with water companies to ensure water points are functional, perform repairs to avoid leakages and monitor the water points to minimize contamination.

Courtesy ; K. N. A