The department was referred to as Ministry of Water and Irrigation before the Rationalisation process. The naming of portfolios of the County Government is guided by the County Governments Act Section 30 (2) (e), read together with Section 45 (3) and Section 46 (i) (2) (e). This reading derives the understanding that the County Government is structured not into ministries but departments. Accordingly, the Department of Water and Irrigation is organised into three directorates discussed in this section as: Directorate of Water and Irrigation; Directorate of County Irrigation Services; and Directorate of Administration.

Functions

• Formulation and implementation of the County legislation
• Manage and coordinate the functions of the of Department administration
• Development and implementation of the Department’s strategic and integrated Development plan
• Performance management
• Personnel Management
• Financial management
• Resource mobilisation

The county department of water and irrigation is overseeing the operations of seven rural water supplies before actual hand over to Kirandich water and sanitation company Ltd. These rural water supplies are namely;

1. Toiwon Water Supply
2. Kapchepkor Water Supply
3. Bartolimo Water Supply
4. Pemwai Water Supply
5. Seretunin Water Supply
6. Ngetmoi Water Supply
7. Kapkong Water Supply
8. Kipkaech Water Supply
9. Marigat Water Supply

Baringo County is a water scarce county with a big percentage of the populace depending on ground water abstraction for their domestic and livestock water demand. However significant strides towards addressing the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water for domestic use, livestock and irrigation purposes have been made since the onset of devolution in 2013.

So far, 317 boreholes have been sunk and fully equipped by the County Government which has increased the number of boreholes from 154 to the current 471. More than 32 masonry water storage tanks of various capacities have been constructed Countywide including several pipeline extensions enabling the residents to access safe water within a short distance.

Additionally, about 60 water pans of average capacity 12000m3 have been constructed since the onset of devolution in 2013. These water pans currently harvest water, store and enable people to provide water to their livestock including conducting kitchen gardening or minor irrigation in their households. Several springs and intakes have also been constructed and pipelines extended to reach the users for domestic, livestock and irrigation purposes.

Baringo County Government has also invested in the purchase of a drilling rig system. The machines are a set of 3 which includes a Rig, Support Truck and a Test Pumping Unit. As at now the machines have been used to drill an additional 51boreholes and rehabilitated 52 existing boreholes.

Before 2013, the water access coverage in Baringo County was below 35%. The Census Survey of 2019 had put Baringo County water access to safe drinking water at 39%. By allocating substantial budgetary resources to the Department, Baringo County Government through the leadership of H.E Governor Cheboi targets at pushing the water access to an average of 52% by the close of year 2027.
To improve food security especially in the face of climate change, the County Government has engineered a paradigm shift towards irrigated agriculture which guarantees stable agricultural productivity, as opposed to depending on the rains for farming activities. In 2013 there were only 6 functioning Irrigation schemes with 2800ha (6900acres) under active crop production.

As at 2023 we have 26 functional irrigation schemes with a productive 10,993 acres. The County Government has a target of raising it to 50,000 acres in the next 10 years against a County potential of 150,000 acres.

BOREHOLES

2013	154 Boreholes
2023	471 Boreholes

New Boreholes 317

IRRIGATION SCHEMES

2013	6 with 2800 acres
2023	26 with 10,993 acres

Geothermal power is the second largest commercial renewable resource after hydro sources in Kenya and the Government is committed towards the development of the same. The potential for geothermal development in Baringo is immense, with several potential wells having been mapped and are currently under development for exploitation in: Silali, L. Bogoria, Paka, L. Baringo, Chepchuk and Korosi

Feasibility study status	Current productivity Level and potential	Prospective Markets	ROI	County Government Incentive
Done	The findings indicate that the County has the potential to generate up to 3000MW, the current productivity is 140MW	Electric power generation for supply to the national grid. Direct use options at various temperatures e.g. recreation and entertainment (spa), extraction of chemical materials for fertilizers, industry, dyeing, fish farming	High	Waiver on land rates Supportive legislative and policy framework

Baringo County is endowed with plenty of sunshine that can be transformed into solar Energy. Currently, the county is in the process of establishing an industrial park thus creating an attractive investment opportunity.

Feasibility study status	Current productivity Level and potential	Prospective Markets	ROI	County Government Incentive
Done	The Region receives good solar insolation all year round coupled with moderate to high temperatures. Solar insolation is estimated at 4- 6 kWh/m²/day. N/B: In Baringo it requires only 3 acres to produce 1Mega watt as opposed to the average 7 acres in other areas	Electric power generation for supply to the national grid. Direct use options at various temperatures e.g. recreation and entertainment (spa), extraction of chemical materials for fertilizers, industry, dyeing, fish farming	High	Waiver on land rates Supportive legislative and policy framework

Dams, Lakes And Water Pans

Boreholes

Borehole data and Status 2023 in Edama Ravine Sub-County

Dams, Lakes And Water Pans In Eldama Ravine

Gravity Water Schemes In Eldama Ravine Sub-County

Baringo County is extremely susceptible to the impacts of a changing climate because most livelihoods and economic activities are reliant on climate-sensitive natural resources. Droughts, floods, rising water levels in lakes, extreme weather events and rising temperatures in particular have had devastating consequences on the environment, society and economy.

The County has therefore rallied all stakeholders to invest in and play active roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions for the last 10 years.

It has provided leadership through formulation of Policies and legislations including the Baringo County Climate change Policy, 2021, Baringo County Climate change Act, 2022 and Baringo County Climate Change Regulation 2023, developed the County climate change action plan 2022-2027 as well as the Baringo County Forest Bill which is at the drafting stage. The developed County Participatory Climate Change Vulnerability Risk Assessment (PCRA) report is helping the County administration in making evidence based decisions regarding climate change issues.

Among other strategies, the County Government has spearheaded the formation and inauguration of Ward Climate Change Committees, County Steering Committee and County Technical Planning Committee to oversee the implementation of the climate change Act in the County. This has been complemented by Climate change sensitization and awareness campaigns particularly in disaster risk areas within the County, implementation of soil and water conservation measures like soil erosion control and gulley control and rehabilitation, spring, wetland protection and catchment protection Restoration and re-vegetation of bare and degraded areas as well as the promotion of the use of renewable energy.