SIGOR WEI-WEI

INTEGRATED PROJECT
FIELD VISIT REPORT
Tony
Prepared by: Oloo Anthony
Contents
List of acronyms ........................................................................................................................................ 3
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Background information and project description..................................................................................... 4
Project Location ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Climatic condition ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Topography of the project area ................................................................................................................ 5
Vegetation of project area ........................................................................................................................ 6
Population ................................................................................................................................................. 6
General overview of the project (previous phases).................................................................................. 6
Major project activities ............................................................................................................................. 6
Importance of the project ......................................................................................................................... 6
The purpose of the site visit report .......................................................................................................... 7
2. Methodology......................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Observations ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Site location for Phase III .......................................................................................................................... 8
Environmental aspects.............................................................................................................................. 8
Vegetation............................................................................................................................................. 8
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Soil Erosion ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Socio-cultural aspects ............................................................................................................................... 8
Community acceptance of the project ................................................................................................. 8
Cultural practices .................................................................................................................................. 8
4. Project photographs ............................................................................................................................. 9
5. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 18
6. References .......................................................................................................................................... 18
7. Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Project Location Map .............................................................................................................................. 19
Outcome of meetings with stakeholders................................................................................................ 20
KVDA Staff (Eldoret) ............................................................................................................................ 20
Local Government and Farmers (Wei Wei Location) .......................................................................... 20
List of acronyms

KVDA Kerio Valley Development Authority

MORDA Ministry of Regional Development Authority

WWFA Wei Wei farmers’ association

DC 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.

Steep hills forming korellach basin

Morun River

Wei Wei River

Figure 1: 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 1: Irrigation of jatropha plant at the pilot farm

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

Picture 3:Community members rest after harvesting

Picture 4:Deep puddles of water make the roads impassable for all vehicles except tractors
Picture 5: scouring in one of the main canals in the Phase II due to large unchecked water volumes

Picture 6: A damaged steel irrigation pipe, these have become hard to replace leading to reduced productivity.
Picture 7: Erosion control in the old irrigation system using vegetation and scour checks

Picture 8: Gulley formation at the base of the foot of the korellach basin due to the huge run-off and scant
vegetation cover
Picture 9: 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 10 Infancy stage of gully formation due to lack of vegetative cover is explained by the chairman of the Wei wei
Farmers association (WWFA).
Picture 11: a concrete beacon marking where pipes for phase III can start from the existing network

Picture 12: An air valve in the existing pipe network

Picture 13: part of the intake works on the Wei wei River

Picture 14: separation of irrigation water between traditional furrow irrigation and piped irrigation (in pipe)
Picture 15: Part of the dense bush cover over the proposed extension area which renders ground topographic
survey impossible to achieve

Picture 16: Documents the meeting between the consultants staff and the clients’ (KVDA) personnel in Eldoret
Picture 17: 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.