8th May, 2019
Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday said that climate change was to blame for shrinking water resources in the country.
Ruto made the statement while opening the annual Water Service Providers Association (WASPA) conference in Nairobi.
“Climate change is causing poor and delayed rainfall that in the end result to poor harvests and food insecurity,” said Ruto.
He said that depressed rains impacted negatively on critical sectors of the economy while escalating inflationary pressures on citizens.
“The perennial cycles of droughts, floods, drying of rivers, wells, springs and the lowering of the water table are attributed to the twin effects of climate change and destruction of forests,” said Ruto.
He said that reversing the gloomy scenario required robust interventions like expanding the forest cover and better natural resources management.
Ruto urged state officials to act on destruction of catchments and pollution of fresh water bodies.
“You must take stern action against people found directing sewerage waste into streams, rivers and lakes in the country,” he said.
Forests account for about four per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product and much of the water for domestic and industrial use comes from the country’s five water towers.
Simon Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation, said the government had recognised water as a key factor underlying the success or failure of sustainable development and security in the country.
He urged concerted efforts to promote water harvesting and storage amid recurrent dry spells.
Chelugui said the government would construct large dams to enhance water security for domestic, industrial and agriculture needs.