Story by Faith Esika
In the gently undulating landscape of Tarakwa, Uasin Gishu County, farming can be as rewarding as it is unforgiving. For Lucy, a dedicated small holder farmer in the region, the dry seasons had long been a time of struggle.
The relentless sun would parch her maize, leaving it to wither before its time. And when the rains finally came, they did not offer much relief. Torrents of surface runoff would rush across her farm, drowning young plants and leaving behind patches of stagnant water that made it impossible to grow fodder for her cows. As a result, her cows grew thin and her harvests reduced. Lucy, like many in her community wondered if there was truly a way out. Then in 2024, the Eldoret Iten Water Fund (EIWF) knocked on her door. Through the water fund’s dedicated technical assistants, Lucy was introduced to a game changing solution. Supported by EIWF, Lucy excavated a 100,000L capacity water pan on her farm. Simple in design but powerful in impact. With this tool in hand, Lucy could now collect the surface runoff that once devastated her farm. Instead of destruction, that water was now stored to revitalize her farm. Now water secure, Lucy began to dream beyond maize. She ventured into green peans and beans farming, crops she once thought unviable.
Today, Lucy’s farm tells a different story. Her maize is lush, her peas and beans are thriving, but more importantly, the once destructive surface run off has been turned into a resource. The water that once destroyed is now nourishing.
Inspired by the results, Lucy has since constructed a second water pan for her son with the support of EIWF and stocked it with fingerlings as well. In further support of her efforts, Lucy received 100 Grevillea robusta tree seedlings which she planted along the boundaries of her farm. These trees are thriving, providing mulch and protecting her soil. She also received 10 avocado trees which she has intercropped with maize, adding a high-value crop to her farm’s portfolio.
What once felt unattainable is now Lucy’s reality. A testament to the power of locally adapted solutions to build climate resilience and reduce pressure on natural ecosystems. Her transformation is proof of what targeted investment in water security can achieve, not just for individuals, but for entire landscapes.
