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VOICES FOR WETLANDS AND WATER: CASE STUDIES ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & WASH IN KENYA
Foreword
Investing in Joint Solutions According to Ramsar (2018), 35 to 80 per cent of the world’s wetlands have been wiped off the face of the earth. The impact of this loss is evident in the decline of biodiversity and the quality and quantity of water, and their effects on livelihoods in many places across Africa. In Kenya, as it is in most developing countries, loss of wetlands is caused by rapid population growth, rising pressure on land and the exploitation of natural resources with little regard to wise use. Wetlands are particularly at risk in the water-deficit northern and southern parts of Kenya where climate change and overexploitation and destruction of catchments imperil lives and livelihoods which fuel water- related conflicts between communities, and between humans and wildlife. Whereas several national and local institutions have varying responsibility over wetlands, policy gaps and weak institutional collaboration make the enforcement of regulations governing the protection of wetlands difficult. As a result, long-term resource availability (both quality and quantity) and efficient service delivery cannot be guaranteed (IRC, 2021). Given rapid shifts in weather patterns occasioned by climate change, the need to halt destruction of wetlands, reclaim those that are lost and manage scarce water resources prudently, particularly in semi-arid areas, cannot be overstated. This will require political commitment, sound policies and increased awareness within government and among water users (Wetlands International, 2017). In addition to conserving the wetlands that remain intact and restore those that are degraded, the resource must be tracked and mapped nationwide. Financial and economic
Julie Mulonga - Director, Wetlands International Eastern Africa
incentives for upstream water users and private sector linkages for the protection of water resources are also needed. To address some of these pressing water governance related challenges in Kenya, Wetlands International, in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IRC, Simavi and Akvo launched the Watershed-Empowering Citizens Programme. Implemented in the water- stressed counties of Kajiado and Laikipia from 2016 to 2020, the Programme sought to bring water sector stakeholders together and forge joint solutions to strengthen the capacity of communities, CSOs and marginalised groups to participate and influence governance in Water Resources Management (WRM) and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). This report is a summary of case studies from the two programme sites. It highlights the linkages between WASH and WRM, outlines programme wins and losses, the challenges that remain unaddressed and, most importantly, offers valuable lessons for the design of programmes for areas with similar challenges. These case studies also underline the importance of investing in information and knowledge among water users and the role of robust policy, collaboration and meaningful partnerships in the development and implementation of effective WRM systems for WASH services.
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