Workshop: Assessing water resources management and river basin governance in Kenya

Background

Access to clean water is a significant challenge for approximately 41% of the population in Kenya (Yu et al., 2019). Water scarcity often leads to conflicts as communities and counties compete for limited resources. As a water scarce country, approximately 85% of Kenya is arid or semi-arid land with about 33% of its water resources for drinking, agriculture, livestock, and fishing originating outside of the country (Winrock International et al., 2021). Frequent water shortages in the country are exacerbated by the alternating cycles of floods and droughts (figure 1) that are widely recognized as being the major causes of water scarcity, land degradation, reduced agricultural and energy production as well as ecosystem degradation (Winrock International et al., 2021).

These climate hazards are compounded by anthropogenic factors including rapid population growth, increasing urbanization, and industrialization, leading to rising water demand to water resources utilization ratio that is projected to exceed 100% in all five water basins in Kenya by 2030 (figure 2) (Kenya National Water Master Plan, 2030).

Project’s Goal

In October 2023, Gatsby Africa embarked on a significant initiative by commissioning a comprehensive
study through the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa. This study aims to delve into the intricate realm of Water Resources Management and River Basin Governance in Kenya, focusing on evaluating the existing landscape and identifying areas for improvement.

With a specific emphasis on assessing the current state of water management practices in Kenya, the study seeks to uncover key gaps and challenges that hinder the sustainable management of water resources, especially in the face of rapid industrial and agricultural expansion. By shedding light on these critical issues, the study aims to provide valuable insights and suggest strategic interventions that can pave the way for more efficient and sustainable water resource management practices in the country.

The findings of this study will play a pivotal role in guiding decision-making processes at Gatsby Africa. Armed with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Kenya’s water management sector, Gatsby Africa will be better equipped to design targeted interventions that aim to enhance water resource management practices in the country. Ultimately, this initiative is poised to have a transformative impact on various facets of Kenyan society. By advocating for more effective and sustainable water management practices, Gatsby Africa strives to create a ripple effect that benefits not only the people but also the economy and the environment of Kenya, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future for all.

Workshop’s Objectives

The objectives of this workshop are fourfold:

1. Engage key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, the Water Resources Authority, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, the Nile Basin Initiative, the Water Resources Authority Basins Area Coordinators, Water Resources Users Associations, Water Works Development Agencies, Bulk Water Users, and the Water Sector Donor Working Group to discuss and refine the project findings.
2. Co-develop, with stakeholders, interventions to overcome the challenges and policy gaps identified by the study.
3. Assess stakeholders’ current and desired future capacities in implementing the interventions developed in (2) to identify capacity gaps and develop strategies to overcome them.
4. Discuss the partnerships needed to facilitate the implementation of interventions

Expected Workshop Outcomes

The following are key expected outcomes from the workshop:

• Enhanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities to sustainably manage water resources in Kenya.
• Sustainable water resource management interventions to overcome identified challenges.
• Targeted strategies to overcome capacity gaps in sustainable water resource management.
• Partnerships needed to facilitate the implementation of sustainable water resource management interventions.

Participation

This workshop is expected to bring together representatives from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, the Water Resources Authority, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, the Nile Basin Initiative, the Water Resources Authority Basins Area Coordinators, Water Resources Users Associations, Water Works Development Agencies, Bulk Water Users, and the Water Sector Donor Working Group who are well placed to influence the implementation of the project’s findings.