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The Nairobian

Uasin Gishu turns to university experts as it seeks solutions to water problems

Rift Valley

By Stephen Rutto | Apr 02, 2025

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii before the Senate CPIC Committee over audit reports of Eldoret Water, Eldoret City and Municipality and Uasin Gishu Hospital at Bunge Towers, Nairobi, on March 25, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Hit by water discoloration and siltation of dams, Uasin Gishu County is turning to environmental experts in universities for solutions.

The county is banking on Moi University professors to fix water problems ahead of the International Conference on Renewable Energy, Climate Change, and Restoration of Ecosystems, scheduled for April 22 to 25, 2025, where solutions to water crises among other environmental problems will be explored.

Among issues that Uasin Gishu and Moi University are looking to highlight at the upcoming conference is the impact of poor environmental conservation and siltation of dams and its effects on water supply to fast-growing cities such as Eldoret.

Last week, discoloration of water supplied to Eldoret city from Chebara dam sparked uproar.

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Uasin Gishu County said since it had no capacity to adequately solve environmental challenges that impede supply of clean water, working with university experts might offer critical solutions to the problems.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii noted that the county has 300 water dams, most of them inherited from European settlers, but their storage capacity has diminished in recent years because of siltation.

“We are committed to working hand in hand with Moi University to advance sustainable practices and community-driven projects. This collaboration will not only enhance academic research but also directly benefit our communities,” said Governor Bii.

The County and Moi University signed a climate mitigation partnership on March 21, 2025.

Bii said the county was leveraging on Moi University's research capabilities to promote innovation in water management and other climate change mitigation efforts.

He admitted that the current environmental challenges will require solutions from academic expertise and global partnerships.

Uasin Gishu County Director for Energy Silas Kering, who is spearheading the technical team preparing for the conference, said the event will offer a platform for exchange of knowledge and capacity building in renewable energy and environmental conservation.

Themed “Towards the Sustainability of Our Ecosystems”, the conference is expected to attract experts, scholars, and policymakers from across the globe to discuss innovative solutions for climate change and ecosystem restoration as part of solutions to water crises in cities and agricultural potential areas.

Moi University acting Vice Chancellor Prof Kiplagat Kotut said enhancing collaboration in research will ensure effective responses to climate change.

“By partnering with universities or research bodies, county governments can benefit from research-driven insights, innovative solutions, and community-focused projects. This can lead to more effective development programs, addressing local needs, and potentially improving overall governance and service delivery,” Prof Kotut said.

University professors and experts will present papers on recent studies on climate change and restoration of ecosystems, organisers of the upcoming conference said.