Latest News: Iltumtum Commissioning

Iltumtum community members sing their appreciation, Narok North district, Kenya. Source: GHARP/KRA

On 26th August 2010, a team from the GHARP/KRA Secretariat and Skillshare International arrived in Iltumtum, Narok North, to meet with the area District Commissioner (DC), district water officer, and community members to officially commission the Iltumtum project site. The site is one of the first to be commissioned under the four-year European Union (EU)/Skillshare project. The day was a real success and there was a good turnout from the community members. The guest of honour for the commissioning was the Narok North DC, Mr. Godfrey Kigochi. Other guests included the Narok North District Water Officer, the GHARP/KRA Secretariat team, and a Skillshare International representative.

Opening Address

The day started with an address from the DC for Narok North, Mr. Godfrey Kigochi. Mr. Kigochi welcomed GHARP/KRA to the district and thanked them on behalf of the community for their work on the water project, particularly the construction of the water pan. He said: ‘The weather here is not favourable and there is frequently drought. GHARP/KRA’s input on water has been very important – there is no life without water.’ He went on to say that Narok North is divided into two zones (upper and lower). The lower (where Iltumtum is situated) always has problems with frequent drought and the community often lose livestock due to lack of water. It is an area that needs to be focused on especially with water projects like the ones implemented by GHARP/KRA. He also complimented GHARP/KRA for their work on environmental conservation and praised the integration component in the Iltumtum community development project.

Commissioning the Iltumtum Community Water Project Components

After the address, the next stage was a visit to each project component at the site where members of the community, the DC, district water officer, GHARP/KRA, and Skillshare International all took turns to symbolically cut the ribbon and declare each component officially complete. Each person gave a short speech thanking KRA and the community for their successful work, before cutting the ribbon to a round of applause by the over-enthusiastic community members.

Community Feedback on Impacts

Community members have already started to notice significant benefits from the project and were very enthusiastic about its success, for example the project has encouraged:

• Reduced seasonal migration and time spent collecting water.
• Reduced instances of water-borne diseases.
• Improved food security and income generation.
• Enhanced environmental conservation and watershed protection.
• Development opportunities using money saved from buying water.

Mr. Vincent Kedoki, a community member, summed up the impact that the project has had, and explained that prior to KRA’s involvement, water was not easily accessible and was a 13 mile round trip. It was collected from the Wasungura River area – this area is dangerous as there are many wild animals. Men and boys often needed to migrate to find water and pasture. He stated: ‘Now we have lots of water in the water pan and we are using all of it! It is used for domestic and livestock use. Now there is no need for men and boys to migrate.’

Closing Remarks

After each component had been commissioned, the community, the district commissioner, the district water officer, GHARP/KRA, and Skillshare International all congregated in the school hall to discuss the successes of the project. It was noted that the partnerships between the community, GHARP/KRA and the government departments had been very successful and collaborative. Skillshare International and the EU’s role in funding the project was appreciated. The community members then provided some entertainment (songs) and a delicious roast meat lunch.