A history of the perkerra irrigation scheme in Baringo county, Kenya, 1954-2013

Abstract

This study examines the history of the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme from 1954 to 2013. The scheme was started in 1954 to hamess water from the Perkerra River for irrigation. This study explored how the Tugen and IlChamus communities, in spite of their pastoral resourcefiilness, were persuaded to embrace mixed farming. These communities were able to change from pastoralism to arable irrigation farming despite some resistance during the colonial period and after independence. Recent studies indicate that several irrigation schemes in Kenya were set up to increase food production and to make semi-arid lands productive. Perkerra Irrigation Scheme was among the projects set up with the same objective. Initially, communities living around the scheme being primarily semi-pastoralists resisted the establishment of the project as their pastureland was being converted to farmland. Mau Mau detainees were used to provide manual labour in the project at its early stages as part of their rehabilitation. Establishment of the irrigation project had various social, economic, ecological and political effects on the area during the period of the study. The area also experienced various challenges in the period 1954 to 2013. The study utilised political ecology theory to explain how policy decisions were influenced by environmental factors in the Perkerra area. The policies in turn influenced the ecology of the area. The study integrated data from primary and secondary sources. The archival documents consulted mcluded District Development Plans, minutes of various meetings, National Irrigation Board annual reports and files on the irrigation scheme. Snowball. An interview schedule was used to gather information from workers in the irrigation scheme, old residents in the farm and members of the neighboring community. Secondary sources comprised of books, journal articles, research papers, theses and the internet. These sources were accessed from the Kenya National Library Services library at Kabamet and the Egerton University Library. Historical method was carried out in line with the objectives of the study which comprised the tentative chapters. The study contributes to the historical analysis of irrigation agriculture and its significance in Kenya