The Interim Coordinating Secretariat (ICS), the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR), the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) and three Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs) have today launched the rehabilitation and conservation of the watersheds of Makalia, Naishi, Nderit and Njoro rivers. Rivers Makalia, Naishi, Nderit and Njoro originate from the Mau Escarpment, in particular Eastern Mau Forest Reserve. They then navigate through small-scale and large-scale farming areas and eventually drain into Lake Nakuru.
These rivers are the main rivers flowing in the catchment of Lake Nakuru. They are therefore critical for the supply of domestic water to Nakuru Town, other urban areas and the rural communities, as well as to the industry sector. They are also key to the ecological stability of Lake Nakuru National Park, which is among the most visited protected areas of Kenya, generating revenue, in terms of entry fees, in excess of Kshs 1 billion a year.
The watersheds of the four river systems have been degraded over time through forest excisions, settlements, urbanization, poor agricultural practices, including cultivation on the river banks, and degradation of the remaining vegetation cover. These have not only affected the water retention ability of the watersheds but have also contributed to increased soil erosion and siltation of the rivers as well as reduced water quality. Notably, ground water recharge has been impacted negatively leading to lower water levels in boreholes, some drying up within the Njoro River catchment.
In order to reverse the degradation of these watersheds, ICS, MENR, WRMA and the three WRUAS have jointly reviewed the situation on the ground and identified a number of key interventions:
- Sensitization of the communities as key stakeholders in water resources and watershed management;
- Establishment of baselines on the status of the watershed;
- Strengthening community resources management institutions, in particular the three WRUAs;
- Development of sub-catchment management plans for Makalia (including Naishi) and Nderit watersheds;
- Survey and pegging of the riparian reserves;
- Support to the establishment and management of tree nurseries;
- Re-vegetation and tree planting along the riparian reserves;
- Identification and promotion of best land use practices; and,
- Promotion of communities’ nature based enterprises.
In support to the implementation of these interventions, the Ministry for Environment and Mineral Resources has committed approx. USD2 million.
Today marks the launch of these critical interventions towards securing the rehabilitation and long-term conservation of Lake Nakuru watersheds.
The launch was attended by representatives from key Government institutions,
including: Mr. John Sang, Deputy Chief Coordinator, Interim Coordinating Secretariat, Office of the Prime Minister; Ms. Agnes Yobsteric, Director of Programmes, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources; Eng. Wilfred Matagaro, Regional Manager, Rift Valley Catchment Area, WRMA; Mr. Kimeu Musau, Sub-regional Manager, Naivasha Sub-region, WRMA; as well as the Chairmen and members from the three WRUAs, officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, and Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs from the concerned areas.
To prepare for the launch, the three WRUAs carried out the pegging of the boundary of a 20 to 30 metres wide riparian reserves along 45.5 kilometres of rivers (Makalia: 8 km; Nderit: 10 km; Nkojo: 27.5 km). In the newly demarcated riparian reserves, a total of 44,021 trees were planted (Makalia: 8,000 trees; Nderit: 10,231 trees; Njoro: 25,790 trees. The trees were purchased from the tree nurseries established by the WRUAs.
