Background & Objectives
- Kenya has five water towers namely, the Aberdares, Cherengany Hills, Mau Complex, Mt. Elgon and Mt. Kenya. Water towers provide various services including local climate regulation, habitat for flora and fauna, water regulation and purification, carbon sinks among others. Up to 75% of the country’s renewable surface water originates from these water towers.
- The General Objective: is to support Kenya eradicate poverty through enhancing the productivity of ecosystem services of Kenya’s critical ecosystems and enhance resilience to climate change of her water sources.
Activities
- Policy Evaluation and Integration:Assess national natural resource management policies, and integrate climate-resilient practices. Prepare Strategic Environmental Assessment reports for policy enhancement.
- Integrated Resource Management:Provide expertise in river basin planning aligned with EU Water Directive principles. Address climate adaptation, REDD+, Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), and community-based management.
- Capacity Building and Support:Train institutions, governments, and organizations on climate policies for water resource protection. Support programme management, proposal writing, budgeting, reporting, and knowledge sharing for environmental sustainability.
Results
- Strengthen Ministry of Environment’s capacity for water tower restoration and management in compliance with national laws.
- Build capacity to harmonize and implement conservation policies.
- Develop integrated management plans and implement climate change policies with key agencies and county governments.
- Assist counties in sustainable land use initiatives under national legislation.
- Enhance knowledge sharing among counties, agencies, and communities.
