The Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) has been challenged to review the existing legislation on water and environment and advise county governments on the best practices to conserve water resources.
“We need an adequate legal framework that is enforceable for the protection of our environment but more so our water resources.” The Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba said.
“I suggest you review our existing legislation and recommend on the best way for us to conserve, preserve and restore our water catchment areas,” the governor added.
Khaemba said that although Trans Nzoia County is privileged to have two of the country’s five water towers, such privilege has been severely abused.
He was speaking at his office in Kitale on Wednesday when he received the WRMA delegation to mark the 2016 Catchment and Rehabilitation Day that was held in Trans Nzoia.
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He decried the massive deforestation in the Mt. Elgon region and many riparian zones thereby threatening water resources in the county.
The county boss disclosed that many rivers in the county have been encroached because people were fraudulently given titles deeds extending into the riparian zones asking WRMA to propose legislation that would see such irregular titles revoked.
He disclosed that the County Government of Trans Nzoia is embarking on a radical revolution in agriculture by introducing chisel ploughing that allows sufficient percolation instead of the wasteful disc ploughing.
He further asked WRMA to bring on board all the necessary stakeholders and particularly the department of agriculture in the conservation efforts.
WRMA chairman Mr. Peter Kiilu pledged to work with the county government to ensure threatened water resources such as rivers Machonjoni, Sabwani, Nzoia, Mt. Elgon and Cherangany hills are restored.