Water for all as solar power springs 40-year-old borehole to life

This vital water source for the Ilmarba community was generously donated by the Government of Kenya and other donors.

Situated near Amboseli National Park, this borehole served as a lifeline for people, their livestock, and wildlife.

After four decades of service, the ageing borehole was failing the community it once sustained. The diesel pump system for the borehole had been failing.

In addition, the soaring diesel fuel prices and the threat of pollution demanded action.

Determined to secure their water supply and protect their environment, the community set out to embrace a cleaner, more sustainable, and cost-effective solution to pump water for domestic use, livestock, and wildlife. 

With support from WWF-Kenya and funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the community embarked on a transformative journey to harness the power of the sun, breathing new life into their land.

They improved the water system through funding from The Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability by repairing tanks, renovating and building new dedicated water troughs for livestock and wildlife, and creating a water access point for the people of Ilmarba.

Additionally, they constructed a solar-powered elephant deterrent fence to protect the solar system from destruction by elephants.

At the nearby Olmoti Primary School, a wildlife damage-proof water piping and distribution system was installed, along with eight additional watering points in the school compound.

Previously, the entire school relied on a single tap by the gate. The abundance of water has sparked a green initiative among students and teachers, leading to the establishment of a thriving tree seedling nursery.

"Before we had piped water, Olmoti Primary School had a very low student population - around 250 children. The school's water tanks had been destroyed by elephants, impacting education, student retention, and transition rates. Since WWF-Kenya implemented the water project, the student population has grown to 600, [a 140% increase]. The number of students in boarding has increased, and many young children are now joining the school in Pre-primary 1 (PP1), Pre-primary 2 (PP2), and progressing to grades 1, 2, and 3," noted Dominic Kyalo, the head teacher of Olmoti Primary School.

The water project not only secured water access for learners and teachers, enhancing education for sustainable development, but also significantly improved the quality of life for the community, fostering economic resilience and sustainability for generations to come.

"It is a community-led project, where WWF and the Kenya Wildlife Service are partnering with the Olmoti community, through Olgulului Group Ranch. The community runs the project through a committee that collects funds from members to maintain the borehole,” added Dr John Kioko, the Programme Coordinator for WWF-Kenya in the Amboseli Chyulu Sub-landscape.

Before the solarisation of the borehole, each household would contribute Ksh.30 per cow, Ksh.20 per goat or sheep, and Ksh.100 for domestic use every month. The money collected was used to buy diesel fuel for the generator to pump the water. On average, the generator would consume 35 litres of diesel per day to sufficiently serve all the community members, at the cost of Ksh.186 per litre.

"I have 45 cows. But after getting the solar system, it has reduced the cost. So, I am grateful to WWF because we have saved money on the cow fees," said Jackson Leposo, a management committee member for the borehole.

"From here to Loitoktok is about 50 kilometres. To get diesel, you had to travel a long distance. Also, raising the funds to buy diesel was a significant challenge because even if you didn't have livestock, you still needed to drink water. There were times when the generator would break down and take a long time to repair, so we had to walk long distances to find water. Livestock were taken to Amboseli National Park to find water, and because it was far away, some couldn't make it back home, so we left them all in the wild due to the distance," added Nelson Sinayo, the chairman of the Community Borehole.

"The only water found in this area is in the park, and so WWF-Kenya, together with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), decided to enhance water provision for the community in this area. We have also installed 38 solar panels. The water is used for livestock, drinking by the community but it is also used by wildlife," said Dr John Kioko, the Programme Coordinator for WWF-Kenya in the Amboseli Chyulu sub-landscape.

Before switching to solar power, 38 households and Olmoti Primary School in Ilmarba in Amboseli location of Entonet Lengism ward collectively spent a staggering Ksh.7,592,400 annually on the borehole, which serves over 1,000 people, 1,366 cattle, 2,852 goats and sheep, as well as wildlife like elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras. 

The rehabilitation of the borehole in Ilmarba included renovating and building new dedicated water troughs for livestock and wildlife, to reduce water-driven human-livestock-wildlife conflicts ©Faith Tanui/WWF-Kenya.

The numbers increase during the dry season due to the influx of wildlife and livestock to the borehole. Ksh.2,376,150 shillings,  almost a third of the total expenditure went to just buying diesel, with the generator consuming 35 litres per day at an average cost of Ksh.186 per litre.

Today, thanks to solar energy, the annual maintenance costs of the borehole have been halved, saving the people of Ilmarba a massive Ksh.3,796,200 per year. This drastic reduction not only eases the financial burden on families but also frees up resources for other essential needs, fostering economic growth and resilience within the community.

Following the solarisation in 2022 under the BMZ I project, the community is reaping the benefits. There is a notable reduction in the amount each community member is required to contribute. The contributions now go towards the maintenance of the borehole.

The new monthly contributions by each household have been halved; from Ksh.30 to Ksh.15 per cow, Ksh.20 to Ksh.10 per goat and sheep, and Ksh.100 to Ksh.50 for domestic use.

By adopting cleaner energy alternatives, the pastoral community aimed to safeguard the environment, ensure reliable water accessibility for all, and prevent human-wildlife conflicts exacerbated by water scarcity.

This initiative not only offers a sustainable solution and sets a precedent for environmental stewardship and community resilience but also yields economic benefits, with the saved funds being reinvested in income-generating activities.  The community has achieved self-sufficiency and no longer relies on WWF-Kenya to repair and maintain the borehole.