National policy dialogue on the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus in Kenya

Background

Africa faces heightened vulnerability to climate change despite its low emissions. In Kenya, climate impacts and maladaptive practices, such as deforestation and overgrazing, are degrading ecosystems and threatening livelihoods, particularly in agropastoral communities. Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches like the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), which promote coordinated planning and sustainable resource use.

Kenya’s Vision 2030, SDG targets, and county development plans already reflect this integrated approach. The National Policy Dialogue, under the project “Applying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to Promote Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment,” aims to foster collaboration between national and county governments, researchers, communities, and the private sector. It will draw lessons from the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Area to promote synergies, reduce sectoral trade-offs, and build stakeholder capacity for implementing EbA strategies.

Such nexus-driven, multisectoral planning is essential for achieving sustainable development, climate resilience, and coherent policy pathways across water, energy, food, and ecosystem sectors.

Objectives of the policy dialogue

1.  Present the Project “Applying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to Promote Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North River Catchment, Kenya (ENNCA).” To demonstrate how the WEF Nexus is being applied in the ENNCA to promote ecosystem-based adaptation and sustainable resource management.
2. Policy gaps: Identify and discuss the policy gaps and opportunities for integrating several sectors namely: Water, Energy, Agriculture, Land, Biodiversity, and Forestry in Kenya. In order to gather ideas about the possible practical actions using evidence from the project findings.
3. Engage Policymakers: Initiate a dialogue with national and county policymakers to create joint policy actions, integrating WEF Nexus principles into national frameworks such as MTP4, CIDPs, and sectoral policies in water, energy, and agriculture.

Expected outcomes

1. Enhanced Understanding: Participants will gain insights into how the concept and practical application of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus can be used to address climate change, enhance food security, and support ecosystem-based adaptation in Kenya.
2. Proposed Policy Issues: Participants will identify key policy issues to support and enhance integrated planning and propose actions towards the development of joint sectoral strategies and integration into key national policy processes.
3. Strengthened Collaboration: The participants will have a common understanding of the WEF Nexus and craft concrete steps at sub-national and national levels.

Target Audience

The Dialogue targets policymakers from national government bodies, researchers, project implementers, and key stakeholders in the water, energy, and food sectors. Representatives from IKI-funded projects in Kenya will also participate.