New Subuiga Dam Brings Water Access and Opportunity to Meru Communities

The Subuiga Dam and community distribution tank have officially been launched, marking a significant step in improving water access for residents of Matunda, Ntumburi, and Subuiga in Meru County.

Bringing this vision to life required a global village. This project was spearheaded by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy through its Community Development Programme, fuelled by the generous support of partners like Zurich Zoo, Al Pace, and the Rees Jones, Donner Canadian, and Clean Water foundations.

Kisima Farm donated the land on which the dam now stands, turning private ground into a shared public resource. When fully operational, the reservoir is expected to serve more than 10,000 residents, supplying water for drinking, cooking and cleaning, while also sustaining smallholder farms that anchor the local economy.

The Alliance Behind a Lifeline

Built between 2023 and 2025, the project represents a rare convergence of private landowners, government agencies, conservation groups and community institutions. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy partnered with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Water Resource Authority, the Meru County Government, the Water Resources Users’ Association (WRUA) and Kisima Farm to bring it to completion. Members of the association played a central role in mobilising residents and promoting responsible water use, reinforcing the idea that infrastructure alone is not enough. Its long-term success will depend on how carefully the resource is managed.

John Kinoti, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Lewa, highlighted the connection between conservation and community wellbeing: “Conserving wildlife goes hand in hand with improving livelihoods. This project shows how water security and sustainable development support conservation.”

Lawrence Mutuma, Head of Community Development at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, spoke about the practical need for water harvesting. “Our surface and groundwater are under growing pressure, and so is the way people make a living. When wells run dry, crops fail and livestock suffer. The path forward is clear. We must turn the rainy season from a fleeting moment into a year-round lifeline. By harvesting rain and managing it responsibly, we secure our food, our incomes and the future of our community.”

Residents welcomed the dam, noting it will ease daily chores and strengthen local agriculture, promoting resilience and prosperity.

The Subuiga Dam demonstrates how conservation projects can protect the environment while improving human livelihoods, serving as a model for sustainable development.

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