{"id":120690,"date":"2024-06-08T20:48:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-08T20:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/kenya\/all-news\/restored-rivers-sand-dams-offer-alternative-livelihoods-to-makueni-residents"},"modified":"2024-06-08T21:15:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-08T21:15:16","slug":"restored-rivers-sand-dams-offer-alternative-livelihoods-to-makueni-residents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/kenya\/all-news\/restored-rivers-sand-dams-offer-alternative-livelihoods-to-makueni-residents","title":{"rendered":"Restored rivers, sand dams offer alternative livelihoods to Makueni residents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Kenya. <\/strong><\/span>Sand dams are now restoring hope to the once hopeless residents of some parts of Makueni County.<\/p>\n

Scores of farmers spoke of the benefits from the dams in the “once very dry” areas as they joined other Kenyans in marking the World Environment Day on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now enjoy easy access of the available water for both domestic and irrigation, courtesy of sand dams,\u201d Thomas Mutevu told reporters.<\/p>\n

The locals marked the day by planting 20 bamboo trees as part of efforts to conserve Ikolia river in Malili division, Kilome sub-county.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme was Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.<\/p>\n

Residents also conducted a clean-up exercise at Kiu market as they marked the day.<\/p>\n

They noted that the achievements were realised after years of struggle, and when former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana banned sand harvesting in the county.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis area was a river which was totally destroyed by sand harvesters. You couldn\u2019t pass here before devolution took effect since it was dominated by fierce youth who were controlling the uncontrolled sand harvesting trade,\u201d Mutevu said.<\/p>\n

They fought the sand harvesters in order to rehabilitate, conserve and protect rivers.<\/p>\n

The fight turned physical, and several people lost their lives while others sustained injuries in parts like Kasikeu within the same sub-county.<\/p>\n

In 2017, after successfully pushing out the fierce sand harvesters, residents constructed the Ikolia sand dam.<\/p>\n

The ban on sand harvesting gave rise to opportunities to construct various dams across the county.<\/p>\n

An earlier spot check by the Star in Mbooni sub-county found that the area has several sand dams.<\/p>\n

Mutevu said sand mining left holes along Ikolia river and its environs. The sand had been depleted and the river dried up.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when Kibwana banned sand harvesting, it has helped us restore rivers. People are now farming in numbers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The crops they grow include vegetables, maize, sugarcane, avocados, mangoes and beans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe used to buy vegetables from Mashuru. But, now, they are the ones who come for vegetables from us.”<\/p>\n

Thanks to the locals’ efforts in environmental conservation, the area is now full of sand, trees and vegetation.<\/p>\n

“Our sand dams and rivers must be protected. We are now happy since we have plenty of water and our farms are green,\u201d Mutevu said.<\/p>\n

Duncan Muli said the area was a desert between 2014 and 2015.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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 strategised on how we could reclaim this river, we have achieved lots of development,\u201d Muli said.<\/p>\n

Residents have been sensitised and now understand the importance of environmental conservation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the youth were sensitised 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,\u201d Muli said.<\/p>\n

Disease outbreaks like cholera and malaria are no longer as prevalent as before, due to improved hygiene and sanitation among residents.<\/p>\n

The youth are also economically empowered as they have taken up farming, with some becoming self-employed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYouth involvement in crime alongside drug and substance abuse has equally gone down,\u201d Muli said.<\/p>\n

Inades Formation Kenya Program Director John Mutua said Ikonia river was highly degraded when the NGO got to the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n

“This has boosted food security as well as their income. We want other areas similar to this area, especially ASAL counties to emulate this and conserve rivers alongside environment for improved livelihoods,\u201d Mutua said.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Kenya<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Kenya. Sand dams are now restoring hope to the once hopeless residents of some parts of Makueni County. Scores of farmers spoke of the benefits from the dams in the “once very dry” areas as they joined other Kenyans in marking the World Environment Day on Wednesday. \u201cWe now enjoy easy access of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":120689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[6857,7003,544],"class_list":["post-120690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-kenya","tag-kenya"],"yoast_head":"\nRestored rivers, sand dams offer alternative livelihoods to Makueni residents - kenya<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sand dams are now restoring hope to the once hopeless residents of some parts of Makueni County. 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