| dc.description.abstract | The arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are experiencing
increasing poverty" coupled with environmental degradation and inadequate water
resources. In response to water scarcity, both national governments and international
communities have initiated community water projects which have yielded positive
and negative impacts when implemented.
Kisayani Water Project (KWP) implemented in Kibwezi, a semi arid area in Kenya,
aimed at improving the livelihood of the communities living in the area. Kisayani
Water Project (KWP) underwent an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study
before implementation. This follow-up study, evaluated environmental and social
impacts of KWP and assessed the effectiveness of the EIA mitigation measures, and
related the findings to current environmental and water policies in Kenya. Data were
collected through questionnaire administration to the project beneficiaries Activities
such as focus group discussions, field observations and informal interviews were also
carried out.
The KWP findings showed significant impact on several sectors where internal
population immigration increased from 2002 to 2006 by 80%, while the land price per
acre sky- rocketed from Kshs. 600 to Kshs. 25,000. Moreover, the water project
beneficiaries had water borne disease prevalence of 18.6% compared to the control
area where the incidences of water borne diseases were reported at 81.4 % of the total
cases reported in study area. KWP also led to 30% improvement in food security
though drought has a 70% frequency. Besides, diversification of income activities
increased by 97% and environmental conservation initiatives increased by 90%. Lives
of both women and youth were better after than before the project and the government
departments became more active in the area than before. Other external beneficiaries
to the KWP included the agro-chemical companies through increased sales of seeds
and other farm inputs. Project management bythelocal community, greatly improved
'sense of ownership' compared with similar externally driven projects in other parts
of the region. Environmental awareness and knowledge on ecosystem functioning
among the community members improved by 40% as a result of participation in the
EIA. The local committee responsible for Kisayani Water Project implementation
were aware of, and used the negative mitigation measures has was advocated for
during the participatory community EIA process. Some underlying factors such as
local politics, poor governance in local water project committees as well as weak
capacity in leadership were found to threaten the sustainability of water project. The
study found that there is contention between the Water Service Boards and the Water
Users Association at the community level and that the new Water Act (2002) is yet to
have a positive impact on the local governance of community water supply and
management. It is therefore recommended that the new Water Act of 2002
incorporates and ensure community and stakeholders' participation in EIA studies in
addition to fine tuning the Act at implementation level to avoid frustrating the local
ownership.,
Community-driven water projects stand a better chance for sustainability and of
improving the welfare of the target communities. Beneficiaries who participated in
EIA process were sensitised enough to show early indicators of transformation to
good environmental stewards. The study further recommends that future comparative
study of Kisayani Water Project with similar water project in the region be conducted. | en |
