This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
September 11, 2019, marked a significant milestone for the Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese in Kenya as they acquired a title deed for a man-made stream.
The stream, known as River Kalondon, gets its water from the Aberdare ranges and flows through the Mathari village in Nyarugumu.
Originally dug by the Consolata missionaries in 1902, the stream has been a vital source of water for the local community, including a 3,000-acre farm and a coffee factory.
When the missionaries left the country, the Archdiocese of Nyeri formalized the ownership by acquiring a title deed for the river and the land it passes through.
The aim of acquiring a title deed was to secure the river from any damage or contamination by residents and to ensure its sustainability.
However, owning a river comes with its challenges, including siltation, overflow during heavy downpours, and illegal abstraction of water.
Despite these challenges, the title deed has ensured that no farming activity is undertaken near the river, and institutions such as Kamwenja Teachers College, Nyeri High School, and Mathari Complex rely on the river for their water needs.
