Search

Caritas Nyeri which is a sub entity of Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) in partnership with National Environmental Management Authority is implementing a climate change adaptation project in Thome village.The project that launched in April 2016 was specifically to enhance climate resilient agricultural and agro- forestry production systems and improving climate resilient water management systems to enhance food security.

Distribution of drought tolerant crop species and tree seedlings to various households was the main aim to begin with but these activities have stalled because they all need the availability of water. The quotation costs for survey and design of water infrastructure was beyond the reach of Caritas project, therefore NIE was in consultation with Caritas on this development and an agreement with the department of water in Laikipia County government for designs consultation. The design work for the water infrastructure has just began.

The complexity of the project has delayed implementation. However, the collaboration with Laikipia County Government will fast track the process. The issue of consultancy for detailed feasibility study and design of smallholder irrigation project in Thome, Laikipia County should be concluded to fast track the establishment of appropriate physical assets and infrastructure for water harvesting, storage and irrigation which is the main focus for the KCCAP in Thome, Laikipia County. This is important because all other projects like seedling planting and drought resistant crops planting all depend on water availability.

Thome village needed the other side of the coin flipped to understand that, its water catchment lies predominantly through arid to semi-arid landscapes where the annual levels of rainfall and precipitation have seemingly decreased over the years and to this reason, people living in the area were facing a lot of challenges when the unpredictable weather patterns changed.