background kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%

wwwwww.africaharvest.org


Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Mount Kenya RegionMount Kenya Region

**Njeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J, Wamahiu Njeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J, Wamahiu P & Mutahi E P & Mutahi E

Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation InternationalAfrica Harvest Biotech Foundation InternationalP O Box 642-00621, Nairobi, KenyaP O Box 642-00621, Nairobi, Kenya

22ndnd World congress of Agroforestry Nairobi Kenya, 22-28 World congress of Agroforestry Nairobi Kenya, 22-28thth August 2009 August 2009


Background Background

Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%

Deforestation effect : Flooding, uncontrolled Deforestation effect : Flooding, uncontrolled erosion & excessive siltation of Hydro-electric erosion & excessive siltation of Hydro-electric damsdams

Major water towers degraded & include:Major water towers degraded & include:

Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangani hills, Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangani hills, Mau complex & Mt Elgon Mau complex & Mt Elgon


High dependency on wood fuel: High dependency on wood fuel: domestic usage domestic usage contributes to contributes to

deforestation deforestation


High dependency on wood High dependency on wood products-products-contributes to contributes to

degradationdegradation

Power distribution poles, timber for construction & Power distribution poles, timber for construction & furniturefurniture


River Rutui-mount Kenya water towerRiver Rutui-mount Kenya water tower ImportanceImportance source of source of 55 registered water intakes 55 registered water intakes

belonging to farmer groups, institutions and belonging to farmer groups, institutions and coffee factories. coffee factories.

supplies water to >supplies water to >1258 rural households 1258 rural households plus population of Kerugoya town. plus population of Kerugoya town.

7 micro hydro power plants power 7 micro hydro power plants power to localto local Tributary of river Thiba which drains into Tributary of river Thiba which drains into

River River Tana-seven folks damsTana-seven folks dams River Thiba source of water Mwea rice schemeRiver Thiba source of water Mwea rice scheme


ChallengesChallenges Population whose livelihood depend on waters Population whose livelihood depend on waters

from River Rutui were concerned from River Rutui were concerned why?why?

Declining water volumes resulting inDeclining water volumes resulting in1.1. Water RationingWater Rationing

2.2. Micro-hydro dams running below capacity-Micro-hydro dams running below capacity-less power generatedless power generated

Water pollution.Water pollution.1.1. Increased cases of water borne diseasesIncreased cases of water borne diseases

2.2. School absentee due to water related sickness School absentee due to water related sickness

3.3. Water unfit for household use- look for other Water unfit for household use- look for other distant sources & more time in search of waterdistant sources & more time in search of water


Problem diagnosis & action Problem diagnosis & action 1.1. Villagers sought help from Villagers sought help from Water Resource Water Resource

Management AuthorityManagement Authority (WRMA) & (WRMA) &

2.2. Outcome formation of River Rutui users Outcome formation of River Rutui users association & leaders of all 17 villages association & leaders of all 17 villages represented.represented.

3.3. Formed core team- Members of the community, Formed core team- Members of the community, Riparian land owners WRMA, Kenya Forest Riparian land owners WRMA, Kenya Forest Service, Ministry of Agriculture & thenService, Ministry of Agriculture & then

4.4. Walked along river-lines Walked along river-lines River Rutui & 5 River Rutui & 5 tributaries tributaries (Gaturu, Icere, Kirogo, Mutuangunyi, (Gaturu, Icere, Kirogo, Mutuangunyi, Kanyiriri and Riagatogo)-58 km Kanyiriri and Riagatogo)-58 km

5.5. Shared findings & resolutions reached in barazaShared findings & resolutions reached in baraza


Major problems & solutionsMajor problems & solutions

25 illegal furrows directing water to the farms –Those bordering Raparian - resolved to stop diverting water illegally (left)

Garages close to river damping waste into the river-practice ceased (right)


Wrong- exotic tree species planted close to Wrong- exotic tree species planted close to river-line & cultivation close to river bankriver-line & cultivation close to river bank


Organisations directed Raw sewage into the river (schools, Hospital, council & coffee factoriesOrganisations directed Raw sewage into the river (schools, Hospital, council & coffee factories


Problem diagnosis & action contd Problem diagnosis & action contd

Pit latrines constructed close to the riverPit latrines constructed close to the river Cattle sheds build close to the river & Cattle sheds build close to the river &

polluting the waterspolluting the waters Cultivating close to the river-lineCultivating close to the river-line


Rehabilitation-Implementation strategy Rehabilitation-Implementation strategy Partnership with collaborators

Ministry of energy centers Kenya Forest service Water Resource Management Authority Ministry of Agriculture Tree Biotechnology Project Trust Kenya Forestry Research Institute Private & public nurseries Micro-finance institutions Local communities

Empowered communities to raise seedlings


River Rutui River Rutui Site matching Site matching

planted >25,000 planted >25,000 indigenous trees indigenous trees & & fruit treesfruit trees

Users associationUsers association Police the river linePolice the river line

Protect trees & > Protect trees & > 90% survival90% survival

Ensure there is Ensure there is no pollution in the no pollution in the riverriver


Leaders & community involvementLeaders & community involvement


RESULTSRESULTSIncreased water supply - Micro hydropower plantsIncreased water supply - Micro hydropower plants

Clean energy source for over 400 households


Benefits:• Radio & charging mobile phones

At George Kimotho’s home in Dodo Location in Kirinyaga


Before and…Before and…

AfterAfter


Current status River RutuiCurrent status River Rutui

Clean waterHigh quality seeds Training on tree agronomy & group governance

Benefits


Key outcomes of the InterventionKey outcomes of the Intervention1.1. Regular supply of clean water- no rationingRegular supply of clean water- no rationing

2.2. Reduce incidence of water borne diseasesReduce incidence of water borne diseases

3.3. Improved school attendance Improved school attendance

4.4. Micro-hydro dams fully functional- electricity supply to Micro-hydro dams fully functional- electricity supply to 400 households400 households

5.5. Income from sale of seedlingsIncome from sale of seedlings

6.6. Improved skills- tree manangementImproved skills- tree manangement

7.7. >90% tree establishment>90% tree establishment

8.8. Cultivation close to river bank ceasedCultivation close to river bank ceased

background kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%

Documents