Kipsigis elders threaten to curse CS, MP over Mau water project
What you need to know:
- The elders said they oppose the project because it is a threat to the environment.
- The elders demanded that the two leaders stop supporting the project.
- Mr Kettienya said it was also wrong for the government to roll out the project without consulting area residents.
The Council of Kipsigis Elders have urged Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo to stop supporting a Sh34 billion water project in Mau Forest.
The elders said they oppose the project because it is a threat to the environment.
The Itare Dam will be constructed in Ndoinet Forest, which is part of the Mau Forest complex in Kuresoi South Constituency.
The elders demanded that the two leaders stop supporting the project.
Council Secretary Edwin Kimetto accused Mr Keter and Mr Limo of betraying the Kipsigis community by supporting a project they allege would lead to the drying up of rivers that supply water to Kericho, Bomet, Nyamira and Kisumu counties.
“The council calls upon the two leaders to stop supporting the project lest they face the wrath of the Kipsigis people, who are also capable of instituting a curse upon them. The two leaders should also apologise,” said Mr Kimetto.
The elders said they will not allow anyone to “defile” the Ndoinet Forest, where ancient Kipsigis rituals were performed, in the name of development.
They said Mr Keter and Mr Limo had announced recently that the water project would go on regardless of the opposition from the elders because it is a government project.
Council vice-chairman William Kettienya said the project, funded by Italy and to be implemented by the Rift Valley Water Services Board, will lead to low water levels in the four counties.
Mr Kettienya said it was also wrong for the government to roll out the project without consulting area residents, most of whom depend on agriculture.
