Nakuru County Urges Farmers to Respect Riparian Boundaries

Nakuru, Kenya – Farmers in Nakuru County have been instructed to cease encroaching on riparian land and maintain a minimum distance of 30 meters from their farms to riverbanks. This directive comes as part of efforts to protect vital water catchment areas and riparian lands, crucial for sustaining Kenyan households.

According to Kenya News Agency, the decline in water levels globally can be attributed to human activities along riparian lands and the planting of trees with a high water uptake. Kibaara’s statement came during a tree planting event in Kabatini ward, Bahati-Sub-County, attended by Governor Susan Kihika and Defense Principal Secretary Patrick Maruti. The Commissioner emphasized the government’s goal to educate farmers about environmental conservation and the importance of safeguarding riparian lands.

Kibaara pointed out that Water Service Providers (WSPs) rely on rivers and dams for the water supplied for human consumption. He stressed the government’s ongoing efforts to encourage farmers to plant crops at least 30 meters away from riverbanks and opt for species less detrimental to the aquatic environment.

The County Commissioner remarked on the necessity of buffer zones to protect rivers from contamination and depletion, highlighting their importance to Kenya’s development, particularly in the tourism and energy sectors. He also mentioned the adverse effects of prolonged droughts, flash floods, and famine in some parts of the country, further underscoring the need for environmental protection.

Kibaara lamented the loss of critical catchment areas due to unsustainable human activities. He referenced several Kenyan policies aimed at environmental conservation, including the Water Act of 2016, which bans the occupation, development, and encroachment of riparian land. Other relevant legislations include the Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016, prohibiting development within 30 meters of a forest reserve, and the Physical Planning Act of 2019, which forbids development near water bodies.

In closing, Mr. Kibaara highlighted the significance of tree planting and care in preventing soil erosion and maintaining biodiversity, further advocating for responsible environmental stewardship.