Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Mount Kenya Region *Njeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J, Wamahiu P

1
Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Mount
Kenya RegionNjeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J,
Wamahiu P Mutahi E Africa Harvest Biotech
Foundation InternationalP O Box 642-00621,
Nairobi, Kenya2nd World congress of
Agroforestry Nairobi Kenya, 22-28th August
2009
2

• Background
• Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7
• Deforestation effect Flooding, uncontrolled
  erosion excessive siltation of Hydro-electric
  dams
• Major water towers degraded include
• Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangani hills, Mau
  complex Mt Elgon

3
High dependency on wood fuel domestic usage
contributes to deforestation
4
High dependency on wood products-contributes to
degradation
Power distribution poles, timber for
construction furniture
5
River Rutui-mount Kenya water tower

• Importance
• source of 55 registered water intakes belonging
  to farmer groups, institutions and coffee
  factories.
• supplies water to gt1258 rural households plus
  population of Kerugoya town.
• 7 micro hydro power plants power to local
• Tributary of river Thiba which drains into River
  Tana-seven folks dams
• River Thiba source of water Mwea rice scheme

6
Challenges

• Population whose livelihood depend on waters from
  River Rutui were concerned why?
• Declining water volumes resulting in
• Water Rationing
• Micro-hydro dams running below capacity-less
  power generated
• Water pollution.
• Increased cases of water borne diseases
• School absentee due to water related sickness
• Water unfit for household use- look for other
  distant sources more time in search of water

7
Problem diagnosis action

• Villagers sought help from Water Resource
  Management Authority (WRMA)
• Outcome formation of River Rutui users
  association leaders of all 17 villages
  represented.
• Formed core team- Members of the community,
  Riparian land owners WRMA, Kenya Forest Service,
  Ministry of Agriculture then
• Walked along river-lines River Rutui 5
  tributaries (Gaturu, Icere, Kirogo, Mutuangunyi,
  Kanyiriri and Riagatogo)-58 km
• Shared findings resolutions reached in baraza

8
Major 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)
9
Wrong- exotic tree species planted close to
river-line cultivation close to river bank
10

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

11
Problem diagnosis action contd

• Pit latrines constructed close to the river
• Cattle sheds build close to the river polluting
  the waters
• Cultivating close to the river-line

12
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

13
River Rutui

• Site matching planted gt25,000 indigenous trees
  fruit trees
• Users association
• Police the river line
• Protect trees gt 90 survival
• Ensure there is no pollution in the river

14
Leaders community involvement
15
RESULTS Increased water supply - Micro
hydropower plants
Clean energy source for over 400 households
16
At George Kimothos home in Dodo Location in
Kirinyaga

• Benefits
• Radio charging mobile phones

17
Before and
After
18
Current status River Rutui
Benefits
Clean water High quality seeds Training on tree
agronomy group governance
19
Key outcomes of the Intervention

• Regular supply of clean water- no rationing
• Reduce incidence of water borne diseases
• Improved school attendance
• Micro-hydro dams fully functional- electricity
  supply to 400 households
• Income from sale of seedlings
• Improved skills- tree manangement
• gt90 tree establishment
• Cultivation close to river bank ceased