Andrew Nyamu conservation centre: BUMPER HARVEST THROWS UKAMBANI REGION INTO CELEBRA...

Andrew Nyamu conservation centre: BUMPER HARVEST THROWS UKAMBANI REGION INTO CELEBRA...: In the previous years Ukambani has witnessed low harvests which have resulted in famine and pangs of hunger for many residents. In effo...

BUMPER HARVEST THROWS UKAMBANI REGION INTO CELEBRATION MOOD

In the previous years Ukambani has witnessed low harvests which have resulted in famine and pangs of hunger for many residents. In efforts to adapt to the situation massive water harvesting projects have been initiated by individual households, County Governments, National government and Non Governmental organizations. However all this efforts went short of providing sufficient food for over 1 million residents of Ukambani region

News from Kenya Metrological Department that the region and Kenya in general will receive El nino rains characterized by above average rainfall were received with doubt and hesitation because many a time the department and media have misled farmers. This was worsened when the expected rains failed to start when they had been predicted but determination of farmers to harvest the much they could was impregnable.

From late October onwards the rains poured in impressive manner which grounded farmers in the farms. With increase in information sharing farmers planted variety of crops to diversify risk and also hybrid crops which are able to withstand erratic rain patterns and yield good returns. Maize crop took the biggest share of with varieties such as KDV 02, PANNER 4M, PIONNER, DECUP among other resilient varieties.

As the rains continued, farms maintained admirable green canopy while farmers took every opportunity to weed, add both organic and inorganic fertilizers, and spray chemicals. Casual labour provided the much needed employment opportunity to the resident while agro vets made good sales. The reward for the efforts is now visible and farms across the three counties are loaded with yields clear indication of good times ahead

With this great harvest around the corner, the ball is in the County government court to ensure farmers get the right pesticides to protect their yields from dubious brokers who emerge from horizons only to buy the yields at through away prices only to bring the same yield back at very high prices. It’s time that County ministries for Agriculture stood up to be counted

God Bless Ukambani

Muendo Nyamu

Human rights and Environmental activist

TREES, THE INDOMITABLE SOLUTION

The word has spread, Climate is changing

Not only in newspapers, Radio pass the same message,

Scientific research, undoubtable evidence

Lets Plant trees, a perfect solution

Toxic gases from industries, Citrate the atmosphere,

Cutting down of trees, Desert widen its grip,

Irresponsible refuse disposal, Water is polluted,

Lets Plant trees, a perfect solution

Indigenous forest extinction, its mankind to blame,

Wild animal face the knife, to offer plate on the table

Herbal medicine varnish, resistant diseases capitalize,

Lets Plant trees, a perfect solution

Makueni residents, It’s our responsibility

County Government, CSO and private citizens have opened the doors,

Here and there we plant, indeed many trees

Lets Plant trees, a perfect solution

Andrew  Nyamu

Project Coordinator- National Church Council of Kenya 

Nyamu1895@gmail.com

Andrew Nyamu conservation centre: Sand dams rehabilitation options for Degraded rive...

Andrew Nyamu conservation centre: Sand dams rehabilitation options for Degraded rive...: Sand dams offer a convinient solution to river bed degradation becouse they provide barrier which protects the sand from being drown down th...

Sand dams rehabilitation options for Degraded rivers

Sand dams offer a convinient solution to river bed degradation becouse they provide barrier which protects the sand from being drown down the river stream. In Ndumbini areas of Lumu location in Kasikeu, residents through support from Non Governmental organization have been able to contain the run away degradation of their river. This has led to improved water supply in the area

With rampant sand harvesting within the Ukambani region such sand dam provide the highly anticipated solution to water resource conservation. Proper stakeholder identification and analysis coupled with supportive community sand dam are easy to construct. Non State Actors and County Government and even National government too can support community conserve their rivers through construction of the sand dams 

Sand harvesting continues to wreck havoc in river channels,

With ever increasing demand for sand in the construction industry, our rivers which form the backbone source of water for rural communities are becoming vulnerable day after day. In Kathama location of Machakos county rivers have dried up subject to unregulated and illegal sand harvesting which continues unbated. If nothing is done this will lead to loss of sources of livelihoods becouse majority of the community in the areas rely on Agriculture and decline in water resources translates to decline in sources of livelihoods and incomes

Our Environment continues to face threat from our very own actions, Climate Change is catching up with our very own Mother Nature. Its time for action, its now indeed.