SIGOR WEI-WEI INTEGRATED PROJECT

FIELD VISIT REPORT

Tony

FEB 2011

Prepared by: Oloo Anthony

Contents

List of acronyms
KVDA MORDA WWFA DC Kerio Valley Development Authority Ministry of Regional Development Authority Wei Wei farmers association District Commissioner

1. Introduction
Background information and project description
The Wei Wei Integrated Development Project was started in 1987 following the signing of a development co-operation agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Kenya and the Italian Development Co-operation. The project had the main objectives of enhanced sustainable development, food security, Flood control and Hydro-power generation. According to the project design, the planned key outputs of the project were: Construction of intake weir on the Wei Wei River, Laying of an underground steel and PVC pipeline network that would distribute water through gravity fed sprinkler irrigation units on each plot; Land reclamation and improvement over 700ha; and Setting up of a pilot farm (50ha) to provide logistical, equipment and other input support to the whole project.
The project was to be implemented in three phases (I, II and III) with the first two phases being implemented between 1983 and 199x bringing a total of 275Ha under irrigation. The K.V.D.A has identified a further 325 Ha which is to be put under irrigation as phase III in addition to implementing soil erosion control measures that currently afflict the previous phases as well as the entire catchment area defined by the Korellach basin in which the third phase is to be implemented. To achieve their objectives, the KVDA obtained Technical assistance for the design review, Tender administration and works supervision for the implementation of the third phase. The contract was signed between the KVDA (Client) and Studio Petrangeli of Italy (consultant) with the effective commencement date being February 1st 2011.

Project Location
The Wei Wei integrated project is located in Sigor, Pokot Central District, approximately 500 km north of Nairobi. The foothills and plains of the Wei Wei location are situated in the South-Eastern part of the District, where the Wei Wei River runs through the area from South to North-East originating from the Cherangani Hills. The Area is connected to the rest of the country by the A1 road from Kitale in the south and Lodwar to the North. The Road B4 also connects Sigor town to

Tot, Baringo and eventually Nakuru to the east. A project location map is attached as appendix 1

Climatic condition
The project area may well be defined as Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) with Average rainfall registered in Sigor at the foothill of the escarpment at about 750-800 mm/year, while on the upper part of the escarpment it might reach 1,500 mm a year. The area has two rainy seasons with long rains occurring between March and June and the short rains in November. The Temperatures are generally high throughout the year hence the high evaporation rate in the area means crops hardly survive without additional water supply.

Topography of the project area

The area of the proposed project is relatively flat with a gentle north easterly slope and lies at an altitude varying between 920m and 940m above sea level. The site is however surrounded by steep escarpments on the westerly side which rise to approximately 2000m above sea level at the highest point. The escarpments are the origin of the two rivers that form the extents of the irrigable area under consideration (with the Morun River in the North and the Wei wei River in the south) as well as being sources of the irrigation water.
Wei Wei River
Steep hills forming korellach basin

Morun River

Figure : Google earth image illustrating the areas topography (courtesy of Google Earth)

Vegetation of project area

The proposed site for the establishment of Phase III is covered in varying density of vegetation from sparsely populated shrubs in some places to heavy woodlands and herbs in regions along the drainage channels. The Vertiver grass species originally introduced to control flow of water in channels during the implementation of the first two phases has also proliferated in this region

Population
The area has a low population density with the distribution predominantly along the river courses .The inhabitants of the area are mainly ethnic Pokot, who may be subdivided in two groups that entertain different life habits. The first are farmers while the second are nomadic herdsmen. Data on population density are inaccurate, mainly due to the fact that location boundaries have recently been changed.

General overview of the project (previous phases)

From visual observation, and interviews with the farmers representative, the initial phases of the project were well designed and implemented as water

pressure was good in all parts of the scheme and overall required minimum maintenance. However over time, logistical, operational and environmental issues have made the system less effective. The steel pipes once damaged could not be replaced as they are not available locally leading to some farmers using fewer sprinklers or using more cycles to irrigate their parcels. Additionally, some farmers have also connected more than the recommended sprinklers to cover unauthorized extensions to property which leads to reduced pressure in some sections. Soil erosion has also caused severe reduction in land available for agriculture through formation of large gulleys within the parcels. The access roads have been damaged and in some instances washed away completely due to the excess run off and channeling of furrow water from the plots. The farmers association has attempted to counter the erosion employing localized short term methods such as scour checks and gabion boxes. The severity of soil erosion is majorly due to the expansive soils in the area which dry out and crack during dry period and are then easily washed away with slight rainfall.

Major project activities

Major project activity is subsistence farming since each plot is allocated to one farmer to allow for equitable distribution. The major crops grown include maize, beans, bananas, green grams and mangoes which can be cultivated all year round. Bee keeping as well as livestock rearing is also practiced to a smaller scale.

Importance of the project

The project is important to the local people as well as the nation in general and is among those aimed at achieving vision 2030 through the Ministry of regional development. The construction work will provide employment opportunities to several people in this marginalized area as well as provide a forum for technology transfer. The actual irrigation will create further employment as the additional 325 Ha will need huge labour input. The regions overall food security and socio- economic status will be enhanced.

The purpose of the site visit report

This site visit report documents the salient issues that were observed that might have an impact on the implementation of the project. These included the progress in collection of existing data, observations from the operation of prior phases of the project and collection of views from stakeholders. The site visit was conducted between January 27th 2011 and February 2nd 2011

2. Methodology
The Consultant used visual observation, oral interviews and meetings to appraise the project. Handheld GPS trackers were used to ascertain the exact location/position of various structures and boundaries. Pertinent issues were recorded by use of photography, minutes of meetings and collection of previous reports. The Consultants team initially visited the clients representatives at the Eldoret Head office where their views and expectations of the project were discussed; the consultant was able to provide feedback after the site visit. This report is made on the basis of observations and data collected during the visit.

3. Observations
This section lays emphasis on the design and implementation of Phase III of the project.

Site location for Phase III

It was noted that there is a large disjunction between this phase and the initial two meaning that extra lengths of pipes have to be used to convey the water leading to greater hydraulic losses and greater initial costs.

Environmental aspects
Vegetation The area is generally populated with shrubs with thick wooded and herbs along the numerous seasonal drainage channels. The vegetation will initially hinder ground topographic survey but is vital to control erosion prior to establishment of a comprehensive soil erosion control mechanism Wildlife Several wildlife species including birds and monkeys reside within the wooded areas, all activities must ensure the wildlife are not unduly interfered with through establishment of comprehensive environmental management plan. Soil Erosion The severity of the phenomena means it cannot be only considered in the context of phase III only as the major source of the run off is the existing irrigation network in addition to the overall Korellach basin. The intensity of rainfall coupled with the size and topography of the catchment area in the region means that even short rain durations have huge erosive power once the water reaches the irrigation scheme.

Socio-cultural aspects
Community acceptance of the project The community has been waiting for the implementation of this phase and greatly supports it. This is a view echoed by the Wei Wei farmers association as well as the local government officials. Cultural practices The issue of overstocking livestock leads to land degradation, it is expected that increased community sensitization on better farming techniques will alleviate the problem.

4. Project photographs

Picture : Irrigation of jatropha plant at the pilot farm

Picture : maize irrigation in the phase 2 part of the project

Picture :Community members rest after harvesting

Picture :Deep puddles of water make the roads impassable for all vehicles except tractors

Picture : scouring in one of the main canals in the Phase II due to large unchecked water volumes

Picture : A damaged steel irrigation pipe, these have become hard to replace leading to reduced productivity.

Picture : Erosion control in the old irrigation system using vegetation and scour checks

Picture : Gulley formation at the base of the foot of the korellach basin due to the huge run-off and scant vegetation cover

Picture : Livestock feeding in one of the farms: the movement of the animals greatly contributes to soil erosion within the scheme due to mechanical action as well as depletion of ground cover within the irrigation furrows.

Picture Infancy stage of gully formation due to lack of vegetative cover is explained by the chairman of the Wei wei Farmers association (WWFA).

Picture : a concrete beacon marking where pipes for phase III can start from the existing network

Picture : An air valve in the existing pipe network

Picture : part of the intake works on the Wei wei River

Picture : separation of irrigation water between traditional furrow irrigation and piped irrigation (in pipe)

Picture : Part of the dense bush cover over the proposed extension area which renders ground topographic survey impossible to achieve

Picture : Documents the meeting between the consultants staff and the clients (KVDA) personnel in Eldoret

Picture : The areas District Commissioner (DC) gets personally involved in assessing the erosion during a site tour conducted jointly with the Consultant

5. Conclusion
The deduction from the field visit is that the design and construction of the phase III can be successfully achieved in condition that a holistic approach to soil erosion mitigation is put into place. Sensitization of farmers on good cultural and agricultural practices will also aid in the successful operation of the project once implemented. The suitable design should also include the use of locally available equipment and materials which will reduce logistics nightmares during replacement of worn out or damaged parts.

6. References
Wei Wei Integrated Development Project, Sigor, Kenya

by Alex Mugova and Jeanlinda Mavunga .

ENEP 1999.

7. Appendices
Project Location Map

Outcome of meetings with stakeholders

KVDA Staff (Eldoret) Two meetings were held with the KVDA representatives who included the acting managing director and his assistant, and the project Engineer. The key outcomes were the setting of the official commencement date as February, 1st 2011 and the clients acceptance of the Consultants request to be based in Sigor town instead of Eldoret as stipulated in the terms of contract. The client also provided all available data in form of reports and topographical maps. Local Government and Farmers (Wei Wei Location) The meeting with the District Commissioner (Pokot Central), Area chief (Wei Wei Division) together with the Wei Wei farmers association took place at the DCs office in which they all reiterated the community continued support of the project in terms of existing and future works.