This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 27, 2019, the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri made history by acquiring a title deed for a man-made river in the region.
The river, known as River Kalondon, stretches from the Aberdare Ranges and flows through Mathari village in Nyarugumu.
Originally dug out by the Consolata missionaries in 1902, the river was used to supply water for the missionaries' domestic needs, as well as for a mission hospital and school.
The missionaries also used the river to irrigate a 3,000-acre farm, where they planted tea and coffee, and set up a coffee factory.
When the missionaries left the country, the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri formalized the ownership of the river by acquiring a title deed.
The main reason for acquiring the title deed was to secure the river from any damage or contamination by locals.
However, owning a river comes with its challenges, including siltation, disruption to homesteads, and insufficient water supply for people downstream.
Some farmers in the area also block the river upstream to irrigate their farms, while others tap the water illegally using pipes that exceed the recommended diameter.
