In the face of mounting environmental challenges, the Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) has embarked on an ambitious and crucial initiative – the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Conservation Project. This comprehensive program aims to rehabilitate and restore the degraded areas within the Ewaso Ng’iro North River catchment and riparian zones, mitigating the impacts of climate change on the communities residing within the basin.

The project’s significance is underscored by the staggering economic cost of land and environmental degradation in Kenya, estimated at USD 390 million or 3% of the national GDP annually. However, these figures do not account for the hidden costs of rehabilitation, loss of biodiversity, and the degradation of unique landscapes. Environmental degradation has far-reaching consequences, including reduced productivity, food insecurity, insufficient water supply, drying up of rivers, and regular loss of livestock.

The Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Conservation Project is a multi-faceted endeavor that spans the entire ENNDA Basin, traversing ten counties: Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Meru, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, and Samburu. It entails planting trees along the two water towers of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, as well as along the riparian areas of the main Ewaso Ng’iro North River and its tributaries. Additionally, the project will propagate and plant bamboo and other tree seedlings of various species, matching the specific requirements of each catchment area and riparian zone.

Project scope

The project's scope encompasses four key components:

Catchment and Riparian Zone Conservation

This component focuses on rehabilitating degraded catchment areas and riparian zones through reforestation efforts, increasing vegetation cover, and protecting these critical areas

Water Harvesting, Storage, and Development

To address water scarcity in the region, the project will develop water points, water harvesting and storage structures, and boreholes, ensuring a reliable water supply for domestic, agricultural, and livestock purposes

Community Capacity Building

Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the project will undertake sensitization and capacity-building initiatives, empowering local communities to participate actively in the conservation efforts and fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability.

Feasibility Study for the Ewaso Ng'iro North Multi-Purpose Dam and Associated Infrastructures

The project will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study and detailed design for the proposed Ewaso Ng’iro North Multi-Purpose Dam, which will serve multiple purposes, including hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply

Objectives

Project Objectives

The project’s objectives are far-reaching and multifaceted, encompassing increasing water supply for domestic and agricultural use, rehabilitating degraded catchment and riparian areas through reforestation efforts, improving livelihoods and enhancing socio-economic development through propagation, planting, and nurturing of bamboo and fruit trees, and undertaking capacity-building and training initiatives for the resident communities.

By addressing the root causes of environmental degradation and promoting sustainable resource management, the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment Conservation Project aims to restore the region’s ecological balance, increase water availability, and foster socio-economic development for the communities residing within the basin. ENNDA’s commitment to this ambitious initiative is a testament to the importance of preserving Kenya’s water towers and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.