Farmers vandalise NamWater pipeline

Farmers vandalise NamWater pipeline

Auleria Wakudumo

Some farmers in Khorixas have allegedly vandalised the main pipeline supplying water to the town, to water their livestock.

The farmers are said to have illegally cut the NamWater pipeline, resulting in water flooding nearby riverbeds. 

This has raised serious concern about the water supply to municipal reservoirs, neighbouring settlements, and farms.

Khorixas Municipality public relations officer, Simson Ochurub, said the farmers who tampered with the pipeline are illegally occupying land about 30-40 kilometres outside Khorixas.

“The town of Khorixas relies on water from this pipeline, so any spillage affects water levels in the reservoirs. If the levels drop too low, the pressure in the pipeline decreases, leading to water shortages in town,” Ochurub explained.

He said the municipality expressed concern over the illegal activities of the farmers settling in the vicinity of the town.

“We engaged the regional police commander, Commissioner James Nderura, last week and we are in the process of devising a strategy to address this issue as a matter of urgency,” Ochurub said.

Approached for comment, NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the water utility is engaging relevant business units and awaiting feedback from the team on the ground.

-wakudumoauleria@gmail.com