Muramati: Schools in Laikipia County are set to improve their agricultural practices and address water scarcity issues with the donation of 100 water harvesting tanks. These tanks were provided by Brooke East Africa in collaboration with Laikipia County, under the guidance of Dr. Allan Mugambi, Chairman of the Laikipia County Development Authority.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mugambi highlighted during the distribution event in Muramati that the initiative aims to ensure schools have sufficient water for irrigation. This approach not only supports agricultural activities but also alleviates the burden on donkeys that were previously used to transport water, an action that violated animal rights. “We are helping people with water challenges for them to protect animal rights, specifically donkeys which are overburdened,” Dr. Mugambi stated, emphasizing the dual benefits to both human and animal welfare.
Koome Kiragu, the Laikipia County coordinator for the school feeding program, encouraged schools to
engage in farming activities to provide nutritious meals to students. This strategy is intended to reduce hunger-related dropout rates and decrease dependency on relief food. Sustainable farming practices are being promoted as a long-term solution to these challenges.
Laikipia East Assistant County Commissioner Kimberley Champagne urged teachers to adopt climate-smart agriculture technologies to enhance productivity. She noted that such farming techniques could serve as a supplement to government feeding programs, ensuring schools have a steady supply of food.
Teachers in the region expressed their gratitude to the donors, citing the water tanks as a crucial resource in overcoming water shortages, particularly during dry periods. The initiative is expected to significantly impact the quality of education by providing students with better nutrition and more reliable resources for learning.
