KVDA Rolls Out Sh300 Million Water Projects to Boost Access and Food Security in Baringo
The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has completed 14 new water projects worth Sh300 million across Baringo County, offering a major boost to households, livestock keepers and small-scale farmers in the water-stressed region. The projects—implemented over the last three years—include dams, water pans and boreholes spread across six subcounties, and are expected to significantly ease water shortages that have historically undermined agriculture and livelihoods. According to a status report by KVDA, the new installations will supply clean water to more than 30,000 residents, serve 120,000 livestock and irrigate over 140 acres of farmland.
During the commissioning of Chemura and Cheploch boreholes in Baringo North, KVDA Board Chairman Mark Chesergon said the authority’s priority is to promote sustainable development in Kerio Valley, an area that has long battled insecurity and limited access to essential services. Chemura borehole, which produces 7.2 cubic metres of water per hour, is expected to benefit 3,000 residents, while the Cheploch borehole—with an output of 4.5 cubic metres per hour—will serve 4,000 residents and neighbouring learning institutions. Chesergon said the projects will also support nearly 30,000 livestock and expand kitchen-garden irrigation in the community. Previously, villagers walked long distances to fetch water from River Kerio, a burden that often fell on women and schoolchildren.
Officials said the water programme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen household food production and climate resilience in the Kerio Valley. Dr Wanjiku Manyatta, Director for Regional Development, urged Baringo County leaders and development partners to support efforts to extend pipelines to more local communities. She said the projects would help families become self-sufficient and contribute toward the aspirations of Vision 2030. KVDA has also been distributing fruit seedlings—especially mango and avocado—to schools and households, alongside rehabilitating degraded river basins through tree planting and watershed conservation.
Local leaders welcomed the initiatives, saying they will uplift communities that have endured decades of marginalisation. Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap urged the national government to strengthen rather than dissolve KVDA, arguing that the agency plays a key role in both peacebuilding and development across the six North Rift counties it serves. Residents also expressed relief, noting that access to clean, piped water had already reduced long treks and enabled them to diversify into vegetable and tomato farming. KVDA has further distributed 20,000 mango seedlings to two schools in the region and completed additional water infrastructure, including the Sh31.5 million Kabuswa Dam and water pans in Mogotio and Barkitiew.