Integrated Stakeholder Participation and Watershed Assessment in the River Njoro Watershed, Kenya

1
Integrated Stakeholder Participation and
Watershed Assessment in the River Njoro
Watershed, Kenya

• W. Shivoga1, F. Lelo1, C. Maina-Gichaba1, M.W.
  Jenkins2, and S.N. Miller3
• Egerton University, Faculty of Environmental
  Studies and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 536,
  Njoro, Kenya
• University of California Davis, Department of
  Civil Environmental Engineering, 1 Shields
  Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
• University of Wyoming, Department of Renewable
  Resources, P.O. Box 3354, Laramie, Wyoming,
  82071, USA

Research Overview
Abstract
This project aims to apply a multidisciplinary
approach to develop and demonstrate improved and
integrated sustainable management of watershed
resources through stakeholder participation. This
approach combines technical research, stakeholder
participation, public sensitization, community
outreach and mobilization to prioritize and
implement interventions to restore the ecological
and hydrological status of the watershed.
Egerton University, This project is a joint
venture linking education and management
institutions in the US and Kenya. A
multidisciplinary research team has been created
with collaborators from University of Wyoming,
USA Egerton University, Kenya Moi University,
Kenya Department of Fisheries, Kenya Kenya
Wildlife Service Utah State University,
USA University of California - Davis , USA The
current project entitled Problem Model Assessment
and Initial Capacity Building for the
Rehabilitation of River Njoro Watershed is funded
jointly by the Global Livestock and Pond Dynamics
Collaborative Research Support Programs (US-AID).
Watersheds in East Africa and their associated
lakes and riparian zones have unique terrestrial
and aquatic life. The lakes and inflowing rivers
have recently been subjected to a high degree of
changes in land use. These collectively threaten
the ecological integrity of the watersheds. The
main challenges come from increasing human
pressure, including urban expansion, pollution,
uncontrolled grazing, deforestation and
unregulated cultivation. This trend directly
and indirectly affects the welfare of the people.
The threat of desertification undermines
agriculture and wildlife species. Water issues
affect a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Improvements in the situation can be made through
organized and collective effort of all the
stakeholders. Such an effort has not been
attempted in Kenya. The River Njoro Watershed
provides an excellent case study whose findings
could be applied in other watersheds.
River Njoro is 50 km in length and
its watershed covers about 200 km2. It originates
from the Eastern Mau Escarpment at an altitude of
over 3,000 m above sea level. It flows through
forested and agricultural lands before serving
the towns of Njoro and Nakuru. It eventually
empties into Lake Nakuru at 1,759 m elevation.
The Lake is enclosed within the Lake Nakuru
National Park. A Ramsar Site, the Park is famous
for its large populations of flamingos.
Extensive Stakeholder Involvement Through
Participatory Rural Appraisal, Interview Survey
in Coordination with Biophysical Assessment.
Recent Trends in the Watershed
1992 Kenyan government de-gazettes forests
settlement in uplands begins and creates
accelerated population growth Population 1979
- 159,511 1989 - 279,379 1999 - 450,000
(est.) Direct Uses of the River Njoro raw
sewage disposal, livestock watering human use
drinking, laundry Agricultural Practices primaril
y corn with reliance on cattle, small livestock,
agroforestry. Watershed / Ecologic
Condition accelerated erosion, decreased water
quality quantity, polluted
boreholes, reduced biodiversity, fragmented
habitat, riparian degradation Land Use
Trends deforestation of the uplands
urbanization of the central
region industrial use in the lower region
The research team is comprised of 4
components stakeholder involvement, ecology,
socio-economics, and watershed hydrology. Each
component has 4-6 research scientists from the
collaborating institutions. During the current
year each of these teams will be participating in
capacity building for equipment, expertise, local
knowledge, or scientific groundwork. It is
anticipated that future research will utilize the
capacity built during the current phase of
research.
Key Points
Research and management activities conducted
during the current year are intended to develop a
strong foundation for long-term research into
sustainable management in East Africa. The
research approach is diagrammed in the conceptual
model shown to the left. Highlights of this
research approach include Capacity Building -
Acquisition of material, managerial expertise,
scientific knowledge, training, student
support - Long-term goal create a regional
center of excellence in spatial analysis and
watershed characterization. Multi-disciplinary
Approach - International expertise in
hydrology, PRA, ecology, socio-economics,
agroforestry, wildlife, agriculture, and
fisheries Fully Integrated Biophysical and
Socio-economic Research - Merge the biophysical
and human aspects of research - Coordinate all
assessments and provide 2-way feedback for both
sharing data and steering the direction of
research efforts. - Long-term goal provide
necessary tools and decision support material to
empower local stakeholders in sustainable
watershed management.
The River Njoro Watershed
data collection study
synthesis decision
components support

Visualization
Ecology
Team Approach
Location of the Study Area
Generalized land cover GPS Locations of Recent
Site Visits
Field Data
Problem identification
Watershed Hydrology
Watershed Model
Remote Sensing
Definition of objectives
Model Component Outputs
Management / Decision support
GIS
Socioeconomics
Alternative rankings
Stakeholder Involvement
Re-define problem Additional data needs
Stakeholder Involvement
Scenario development Alternative futures
Conceptual Model of the Research Approach