Under the fierce midday sun in Mutara, Laikipia County, the earth is often baked into hard, cracked terrain. A passing glance might suggest that nothing could be coaxed from this parched soil. Yet, in the midst of these austere conditions, farmer Samuel Ndoria Muruga stands amid rows of thriving kale and spinach, his land bearing testimony to the power of innovation and community support, courtesy of Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Finding Water Where None Was Thought to Exist
For as long as anyone here can remember, fetching water involved backbreaking treks over dusty roads. “We used to walk for hours every day, carrying heavy jerrycans,” Samuel recalls. “I never imagined rainwater could be harvested right in my own compound.” That realisation was the turning point. With training from Ol Pejeta’s agricultural experts, Samuel dug a large dam and lined it with a heavy plastic sheeting—a dam liner provided by Ol Pejeta Conservancy. In one stroke, every rare rain shower was transformed into a lifeline.
Today, that lifeline glimmers proudly on Samuel’s land, holding more than 50,000 litres of water to sustain his crops during bone-dry spells. “When my neighbours’ fields began to wither last season, I still had enough to irrigate,” he says, a note of wonder in his voice. Yet he doesn’t plan to stop here. His ambitions include an elevated water tank and a drip irrigation system, ensuring that each drop finds its mark where it’s needed most.
“In our climate, water is everything,” he reflects. “The more we can store and save, the stronger our harvests—and our families—become.”
When you walk around Samuel’s farm, you’ll see neat stacks of earth rising in tall sacks, each teeming with spinach or kale. This technique—often called sack gardening—is a perfect match for semi-arid conditions. The idea sounds simple, but the results are staggering: a fraction of the water consumption yields a surprisingly abundant crop.
“I’m using about 80 per cent less water,” Samuel explains, showing off the leaves flourishing at different layers. “And I can harvest far more, even when the rains fail.”
Alongside these towers of greenery stand orderly seedbeds near the dam, protected from the unrelenting sun. Here, Samuel nurtures seedlings before transplanting them to the main gardens—giving each plant the strongest start possible in a climate known for punishing fragility.
Samuel’s approach isn’t merely about gathering water and planting seeds; he’s also committed to organic farming. Rather than relying on chemical fertilisers, he harnesses the synergy of livestock and agriculture. His cows, sheep, rabbits and free-range chickens offer more than just produce and protein: their manure enriches the soil, lowering costs and reducing reliance on synthetic products.
“Everything I grow is chemical-free,” he says, cradling a handful of dark soil. “It’s better for us, and it’s better for the land. People in the community have noticed the difference—and now they want organic produce too.”
In a region where the environment is already under strain from recurrent droughts, each small step towards sustainability resonates—showing how farming can thrive even in difficult times.
One of the most striking outcomes of Ol Pejeta’s involvement is the wave of enthusiasm now sweeping through Mutara. Initially, many farmers held on to their newly distributed dam liners without using them—unsure if the idea would work. Samuel, by contrast, leapt in with both feet, lining his dam and soon buying extra liners from sceptical neighbours.
“They saw it in practice here,” he says, laughing. “Now people drop by almost every day to ask how to set theirs up.”
Ol Pejeta Conservancy estimates that around 10 per cent of local farmers have embraced water-harvesting techniques, with more expressing interest each season. Corretah Thaiya, an agricultural officer with the conservancy, cites Samuel’s success as the reason for this growing momentum.
“Once one person in a community demonstrates how a concept works, everything changes,” Thaiya notes. “We see more farmers experimenting with climate-smart methods. And we see resilience increasing across the board.”
Standing by the glistening water in his dam, Samuel smiles as he outlines his plan to install a raised tank that would feed a drip irrigation network across his fields. That, he believes, will free him from having to hand-water his crops—and stretch every litre to its fullest potential.
“I can see it so clearly,” he says. “I want to wake up, open the tap, and watch the drip lines do their job. No hassle, no waste. Just precise, slow watering—perfect for a place like Mutara.”
Meanwhile, Ol Pejeta Conservancy has set its sights on a new soil health initiative, which would allow Samuel and his neighbours to test their soil, identify deficiencies and choose drought-resistant varieties suited to the land. In a place where the earth itself can feel like an adversary, data-driven decision-making could be a game-changer.
Weathering a Changing Climate Together
In the late afternoon light, as the sun turns the plains a dusty gold, Samuel surveys his land, feeling something he once never dared to hope for: security. With a lined dam full of water and sturdy sack gardens brimming with produce, he is not just holding his own against the climate—he is prospering in spite of it.
“Climate change is real,” he says, glancing up at the searing sky. “But if we adapt smartly—catch the rain when it falls, grow food in ways that protect the soil and the water—we can feed our families and our community. Every season, we get better at it.”
His story, nurtured by local innovation and Ol Pejeta’s vision, has become a cornerstone for the entire area. In Mutara’s cracked earth, there is now a green, living symbol of possibility—a promise that with the right tools and guidance, even the harshest landscapes can blossom into sources of abundance.