WATER USERS ASSOCIATION SUPPORT INITIATIVE: An Overview

In the Upper Ewaso Ngiro North River Basin concerns of fresh water shortage, pollution, aquatic habitat and community modification and unsustainable exploitation of fisheries resources are growing. Upstream water users continue to abstract river water during the dry season (low flow conditions) leading to inadequate river flows in the lower reaches and ultimately the drying up of the river downstream. This has resulted in conflicts and huge economic losses for downstream water users. Water users associations (WUA) have been unable to address these problems due to:

1. Lack of data and awareness of their projects impacts on downstream water users;
2. Lack of capacity to mobilize members for action;
3. Lack of financial resources to invest in water saving technologies and approaches;
4. Failure of the District Water Office to acknowledge the complementary role that the
   WUAs can play in river water management;
5. Lack of capacity in conflict management; and
6. Lack of common vision among the members of WUAs.
   Discussion with stakeholders identified a dire need to address the problem and hence the
   genesis of this initiative which will give special attention to information, governance process
   and institutions issues and their role in sustainable water management.
   The initiative’s goal is to contribute to sustainable water resources management in the upper
   Ewaso Ngiro North Basin by adapting and applying tools for improved river water use and
   conflict management. The specific objectives of the initiative are:
7. Create awareness of water scarcity and develop a common vision on water
   management
8. To undertake a sustainable development appraisal on water management (water
   abstraction, allocation and conflict management) issues.
9. Assist the water users associations (WUA’s) and District Water Office in monitoring
   river water availability and abstraction, and in implementing the agreed plan of action
   on water use and allocation.
10. To disseminate research findings.
    

Keywords: Water management, Ewaso Ngiro North Basin, Water Users Associations, Kenya,
Local institutions.