Topics of Integrated Watershed Management
"Participartory Monitoring of Watershed Management Plan"
Meru / Kenya
05.08. - 18.08.2007

  The International Summer School 2007 (5-18th August) was a big success. Local representatives of the Water Resources User Associations of the catchments, representatives of the Water Resources Management Authority, professionals from Universities (DAAD Alumni) and external experts (DED) shared their knowledge, learned from each other and identified solutions together.
The Summer School was facilitated by a joint co-operation of Universität Siegen, Kenyatta University and GTZ – Water Sector Reform Programme.
 During the first part of the programme, the Participatory Water Resource Management Plan for the Bwathonaro Watershed was monitored. The plan was created during the Summer School 2006: Problem areas were  identified using the participatory mapping tool, and the BWARUA’s (Bwathonaro Water Resources User Association) last year’s achievements were verified through field visits, including transect walks, semi-structured interviews, observations and problem mapping.
In some areas the water quality has improved since last year. This happened due to the banning of washing clothes in the river and the establishment of alternative washing sites. Pit latrines were reallocated and constructed away from the river. Moreover, springs were fenced under initiation of BWARUA. Last but not least, awareness on water-related problems was raised through chief barazas.
Based on these results, the Management Plan for the Bwathonaro Catchment was revised by the participants whereby improved indicators for activities were formulated. The budget calculation was updated and an activity plan for 2008 developed.
 During the second part of the Summer School a new catchment was investigated: Ngaciuma-Kinyaritha. Priority problem areas were mapped during the random transect walks in the field. This happed based on the assessment of environmental and socio-economic conditions within the catchment. Major problems identified in Ngaciuma-Kinyaritha Watershed were e.g. lack of awareness on Water Sector Reform, water use conflicts, encroachment of the wetlands, springs and rivers and illegal abstraction / over- abstraction.
Thereby, differences in the problem perception among the WRUA representatives were observed. Water wastage and over-abstraction was often met in the lower zone of the catchment but was not seen as a problem. The same happened with soil erosion and deforestation in this part of the area.
The lack of sound data of water resources was – similar to Bwathonaro Catchment – seen as a problem for detailed Watershed Management Planning.
The participatory situation analysis compiled all information on problems and opportunities. In a next step management options were proposed. In the Participatory Watershed Management Plan a budget for the planned activities was included, such as: running of workshops, organisation of field days, the setting up of a WRUA office, information campaigns for awareness creation and fencing of protected areas.
The comprehensive results of this workshop are the proof for an intensive exchange and sharing of knowledge among all groups of participants, who contributed to an enabling working atmosphere. The Management and monitoring Plans created, are a good basis for the future challenges, which must be taken up by the Water Resources User Associations in solving conflicts on the management of the water resources in their catchments.

Download a Presentation of the results!