On 22nd December 2025, the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (CRVWWDA) participated in the Kimalel Goat Auction and Cultural Festival held in Baringo County, a flagship community forum that integrates cultural heritage, pastoral livelihoods, and development dialogue in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

The event was presided over by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya, and was attended by Governors, Members of Parliament, Principal Secretaries, and other senior government officials. During the festival, the President toured the goat auction and cultural exhibitions, emphasizing the strong interdependence between sustainable livelihoods, water security, and climate resilience, particularly in water-stressed regions.

CRVWWDA’s participation was driven by the Agency’s commitment to community-centered project implementation and stakeholder engagement, recognizing that the success and sustainability of bulk water infrastructure projects are closely linked to local livelihoods and community ownership. The festival provided a strategic platform for the Agency to engage directly with beneficiary communities, county leadership, and national policymakers, while reinforcing the role of water infrastructure as an enabler of economic activities such as livestock production and agri-pastoral livelihoods.

The Agency reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the County Government of Baringo, where it is implementing key bulk water supply projects aimed at improving access to reliable water services and strengthening regional resilience. These include the Chemususu Water Supply Project, Kambi Ya Samaki Water Supply Project and Kirandich Water Supply Project, among others. Collectively, these projects are designed to support domestic water needs, enhance livestock productivity, reduce resource-based conflicts, and catalyze socio-economic development across the county.

In line with its approach of complementing infrastructure delivery with direct community empowerment, CRVWWDA, led by the Chief Executive Officer, CPA Douglas Murei, actively participated in the goat auction by purchasing several goats. This gesture not only contributed to boosting household incomes but also demonstrated the practical link between improved water access and enhanced livestock value chains, reinforcing the relevance of the Agency’s projects to everyday community livelihoods.

Through such engagements, CRVWWDA continues to demonstrate a holistic and inclusive approach to water development, one that goes beyond infrastructure provision to strengthen partnerships, build community trust, enhance project acceptance, and ensure the long-term sustainability of water investments across the Central Rift Valley region.