Laikipia is physically diverse, scenically spectacular and holds the second largest density of wildlife in Kenya after the Masai Mara. The landscape also supports herds of domestic animals and a cross section of landowners and land users (including local community groups, private ranchers, pastoralists, small scale farmers and tourism ventures).

Water Dependent

All these groups are dependent on the water resources within the Laikipia ecosystem. 93% of pastoralists living in Laikipia depend on the Ewaso Nyiro river, which runs through the area.

Problem

The water resources are under severe threat. In 2009 the river dried up for the first time in recorded history, boreholes also dried up and there was an outbreak of cholera. All this led to the loss of human life and wildlife.

Main Threats to Water Resources

• Illegal abstraction. People divert water at the upper reaches of the river in order to water their shambas.
• Catchment degradation.
• Water quality degradation.

Solution

LWF has employed Rural Focus to support the communities in Laikipia and find a solution to the water issue. People need to work together to collectively control water extraction and ensure that river water is well managed and used in a sustainable way. This way downstream users will continue to receive water even during the dry seasons.

Main activities

• LWF is working with community groups to set up Water Resource User Associations (WRUA’s) who actively monitor and control water use along river.
• LWF assists each WRUA in the development of a 5 year river management plan through which users can map out effective water management strategies and assists with training and education.
• A Water Resource Management strategy has been developed aimed at building knowledge, improving effectiveness of conservation efforts and increasing the value of natural resources.

LWF is working with WRUA’s in:

• Riparian areas: every river is required by law to have a specified amount of land along its banks where no farming or tree cutting is allowed. These are referred to as riparian areas.
• River pegging; LWF & WRUA’s are measuring the width of sections along the river to outline as riparian areas and ensuring no agriculture or deforestation is carried out there.
• Planting trees within riparian areas to decrease mud flowing into rivers as a result of soil erosion in severely degraded areas and restore tree cover.
• Keeping activities away from the ‘eye’ of the spring (the source) - to decrease water pollution and allow water to flow downstream.
• Ewaso Narok WRUA is working to reduce water-based conflicts and improve water use around the swamp area. Aside from planting seedlings, 2 dams are being built dams to support conservation of this vital wetland. (The river has become more seasonal due to the decreased area of swamp)
• Zonal scouts have been appointed to actively police abstraction of water and monitor use. During a drought for instance, no irrigating is allowed during the day and people have been arrested for tree cutting.
• Water pollution surveys, water quantity and quality monitoring.
• Lobbying government for application of water act to gazette protected areas to safeguard water catchment areas (main springs, swamps etc) and water resource management projects which affect Laikipia.

For further information contact : Josephat Musyimi This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Share this post