This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Published on August 6, 2019, a group of over 200 pastoralists set out on a 200km six-day camel caravan to raise awareness about the importance of conserving River Ewaso Nyiro. The river, which flows through Laikipia, Samburu, and Isiolo counties, is a vital source of livelihood for pastoralists in the region.
The trek, which is part of the annual Ewaso Nyiro River camel caravan, aims to create awareness among locals on the conservation of water, a crucial resource for pastoralists. The caravan also seeks to reduce perennial bloody conflicts among pastoralist communities over water and pasture.
According to John Ole Tingoi, a representative of the Non-Government Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPCAT), water levels of River Ewaso Nyiro have gone down, affecting pastoralists who rely on it for their livelihood. Tingoi noted that the river is fed by nearly 40 streams flowing from Mt Kenya and Aberdare forests.
Residents have been engaged in forums through the journey to encourage them to conserve the river. The walk comes as pastoralists living downstream are opposed to the construction of the Crocodile Jaw mega dam along the river, arguing that it would affect the free flow of water.
River Ewaso Nyiro serves six counties with 3.6 million people depending on it for livestock and household water use. The participants will follow the river through different areas up to Archer’s Post in Samburu County where they will all converge on August 9.
Several organizations, including USAid, Family Health International 360, Cordaid, Isiolo Peace Link, and Merti Integrated Development Programme, are supporting this annual event, which is in its fifth year. The theme for this year’s event is; Saving the Ewaso Ng’iro Ecosystem through sustainable management of natural resources, enhanced livelihoods, and peaceful coexistence.
