Since independence, politicians have used the BIG THREE as their campaign promise to the people of Nyandarua. WATER, ELECTRICITY and ROADS. These are basic necessities for any modern society to function effectively with a measure of dignity, I doubt any rational thinking person would consider them luxuries in this twenty first century.
We have sent numerous representatives to Parliament every five years and they have all promised to deliver the BIG THREE because they know that is what is near and dear to the hearts of the people of Nyandarua. If every politician who promised us the BIG THREE had kept their promise, like they should have, every home in Nyandarua would have had piped water, Electricity and Tarmac would be on every main road, every rural road and private driveways.
J.M. Kariuki brought water to our homes in the early 1970s, water that was sourced right there in OlKalou. The water is still there, and it has been there through all these decades when we elected politicians who dangled in our faces their promise of bringing water back to our homes. Some of our elected officials brought tangible development to Nyandarua and we appreciate that very much, but their major campaign promises of the big three: Water, Electricity and Roads have been elusive to this date.
I have nothing against politicians but it is their empty promises that gets me. Now we have politicians of my generation in charge of OlKalou and Nyandarua. They have witnessed the lies and empty promises made to our Pioneer Parents by the older generation of politicians.
With the above in mind, this is my clarion call to our elected officials. I am hoping my generation of politicians will want to do better, like J.M. Kariuki chose to do good for his constituents who are still grateful to this date, decades after his demise. This is your chance to make your mark in OlKalou and Nyandarua, doing the job you so passionately asked us to hire you for, being careful not to insult our intelligence with promises you know you cannot keep. J.M. Kariuki’s legacy endures almost half a century later. What will yours be?
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Below is some factual information that I found rather disturbing, and I hope it gets you concerned as a Nyandaruan and lead you to asking some necessary questions. The same information is on the introduction page, but I found it worth repeating in this section about water issues in Nyandarua, a crisis we cannot sugar coat if we tried, because it is both real and devastating. I urge every reader to seek out more information for themselves so we are all well informed about our home, Nyandarua. Here it goes:
The Aberdares are heavily forested making them the water catchment area for Sasumua dam and the Ndakaini dam, the two major providers of water for the city of Nairobi. The forests are also catchment areas for Tana River, the largest river in Kenya that supplies water to the Seven Forks Hydro electric power complex that generates over 55 percent of Kenya’s total electricity output.
Lake Ol Bolossat, the only natural lake in Central Kenya is located in Nyandarua County. It has an area of roughly 44 kilometers, lying in the valley between the Northwestern slopes of the Aberdare Ranges and the Dundori region, it’s main catchment area. The lake provides water for the town of Nyahururu.
Digest the above paragraphs for a moment. Here is my take:
For us who grew up in OlKalou, the Aberdare Ranges were like a canvas spread out for our constant viewing. They appeared like a beautiful endless painting spread out to our East, extending as far as the eye could see. In our growing years, as we worked alongside our parents on the farm, we watched with childish fascination the streams of water that were clearly visible in the dense Aberdare forest especially at sunset. We had no concept of how much water was up there, where it came from or where it was going. The only thing we knew for sure was that OlKalou was not one of it’s destinations. As we grew up and gained more knowledge and exposure, the information contained in the above paragraphs drew our attention as I am sure it has most Nyandaruans. I am not an Engineer, City planner, Architect or any of the sort, but I am a Nyandaruan who recognizes we have two wonderful God given natural treasures in our midst, and always had. There are streams of water flowing on the Aberdare Ranges throughout the year and we have the huge magnificent Lake OlBolossat, the largest freshwater lake in Central Kenya right next door to OlKalou town, the headquarters of Nyandarua County. The question worth asking today is this: Why hasn’t the water of the Aberdares and Lake OlBolossat helped the people of Nyandarua, people who have lived right next door to these two major resources, but have suffered lack of water for decades while the water has been enjoyed by others miles away. Keep in mind none of those consumers of “our” water are residents of Nyandarua County. I always thought charity begins at home. I am not against sharing our natural resources, because we should, but there must be some balance. Nourish your Nyandarua family first, then share the rest. The decades long status quo of sending Nyandarua water to others, leaving Nyandaruans to fend for themselves is morally unacceptable, no matter how anybody would attempt to rationalize it. I am certain there is an economic angle to that decision. Fair enough. But this is how I look at it as a Nyandaruan. If the County government, its donors, sponsors and partners invest in building the infrastructure to bring water to Nyandarua homes, farms and businesses, that will be a one time major expenditure. I know that is a huge financial commitment but look at it this way: once the infrastructure is in place and water is flowing to the Nyandaruans, the County government will immediately start collecting revenue from us, the consumers, broadening the County’s revenue base in the process. I cannot see a single Nyandarua family that would not sign up for the water. Look around Nyandarua homes and see how much they have invested in water tanks of every kind, size and shape, hoping to collect enough rain water, at least for their drinking and cooking needs, while they trek for miles to fetch unsanitary water for their other needs. We have been “thirsty” for the longest time, our hope is almost parched like an arid land.
Same story goes for Electricity. “Our” water from the Aberdares has over the decades fed the Seven Forks Hydro Electric Power complex, illuminating the lives of nearly 60% of the country while Nyandarua remained in the dark for decades. In OlKalou, it was the Pioneer Parents who got together and raised money over time to bring electricity to our Settlement Scheme. They had waited in vain for the government and their elected officials to honor their campaign promise of bringing Electricity to Nyandarua, a promise that was on the tip of every politicians tongue, every five years, but never fulfilled. I remember the “Power Committee” (kamiti ya thitima) comprising of aging semi illiterate officials, making numerous trips to Kenya Power and Lighting Company headquarters in Electricity House, Nairobi, before power finally came to our homes almost at the turn of the century. I remember the “kamiti” members all walking gingerly with a cane in hand, dressed in their best suits worn over a sweater and a floppy hat covering their balding heads as they headed to the city to bring electricity to OlKalou. Our Pioneer Parents stayed hopeful with every trip the “kamiti” made to Electricity House, most families had electricians wire their homes in readiness for the power. But they waited for years and years before power came to our homes. It saddens me to note that some of those tireless, dedicated “Kamiti” members passed away before they saw electricity installed in OlKalou. It still brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. For us who witnessed this process, we have a deep appreciation to those hero Pioneer Parents who sacrificed their time to travel to Nairobi on numerous occasions, sometimes in failing health, facing arrogant bureaucrats in Electricity House and other government offices, but they never gave up until power was installed in our homes. They are our heroes and we remain eternally grateful for their services. Rest in Peace Babas.
