Voice for Wetlands and Water

6

VOICES FOR WETLANDS AND WATER: CASE STUDIES ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT & WASH IN KENYA

Executive Summary

Kajiado and Laikipia counties are water-stressed forcing many communities to dig deeper into pockets to access the life-supporting commodity

Laikipia and Kajiado counties are both semi- arid with a transboundary and insufficient water resource and diverse water users ranging from urban dwellers to smallholder and large-scale farmers and pastoralists. Both counties host several endangered mega fauna. Many rivers here are seasonal, creating stiff competition for water during dry seasons. Pastoralists who dwell downstream move their stock upstream in search of water and pasture. This causes inter- and intra-community conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, and between pastoralists from different communities. These conflicts occasionally spiral into violence and loss of human life.

Wild animals also move upstream or to the community springs, causing crop and property damage, livestock raids and conflict. In recent years, climate change, rapid population growth and land use change from pastoralism to irrigated farming have spiked demand for the dwindling water resource, causing degradation of water catchments, impacting WASH and increasing conflicts. Unfortunately, laws governing management of water resources and protection of wetlands are hampered by policy gaps and institutional conflicts within government agencies that cause duplication of functions and hinder proper enforcement of regulations.

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online