Water supports agriculture, livestock, households, biodiversity and ecosystem health. In Kenya's semi-arid areas, increasing climate variability, prolonged dry spells, land degradation and competition for water make integrated management essential. SACEP Kenya's IWRM approach strengthens community capacity to conserve, harvest, store, manage and use water sustainably — while protecting the ecosystems that keep water flowing.
Pillar 1 — Rainwater harvesting and water conservation
Collecting and storing rainwater for productive and domestic use reduces dependence on unreliable sources. Expected outcome: improved water availability and reduced drought vulnerability.
- Household and institutional rooftop rainwater harvesting
- Construction and rehabilitation of suitable water pans and small reservoirs
- Soil and water conservation through terraces, contour bunds and infiltration trenches
- Sand dams where geological and hydrological conditions allow
Pillar 2 — Catchment protection and ecosystem restoration
Water security depends on healthy catchments and functioning ecosystems. Expected outcome: improved catchment health, reduced erosion and stronger ecosystem resilience.
- Planting indigenous and fruit trees in appropriate locations
- Protecting riverbanks, springs, wetlands and other sensitive water sources
- Assisted natural regeneration and restoration of degraded landscapes
- Integrating agroforestry, mulching and soil conservation into farming systems
- Mobilising communities against pollution and destructive land use
Pillar 3 — Water-efficient agriculture and agroecology
Water management integrated into sustainable production improves food security and farmer livelihoods. Expected outcome: more efficient water use, higher productivity and more resilient farms.
- Drip irrigation and other water-efficient technologies
- Kitchen gardens and diversified food production systems
- Mulching, cover crops and organic amendments for moisture retention
- Drought-tolerant indigenous crops and locally adapted seed systems
- Water harvesting integrated with fruit trees, agroforestry and livestock
Pillar 4 — Community participation and water governance
Sustainable water management needs effective institutions, inclusive participation and transparent decisions. For community prioritisation and ranking, we use simple models that communities understand and own — such as papers and stones laid on the ground to score options together. Expected outcome: stronger local ownership, accountability and equitable access.
- Strengthening community water committees and water user associations
- Community participation in catchment planning and resource protection
- Equitable water allocation and conflict resolution among competing users
- Capacity in infrastructure management, maintenance and financial accountability
- Meaningful participation by women, youth, persons with disabilities, farmers and pastoralists
Pillar 5 — Climate resilience and water security
Climate-informed water management helps communities prepare for droughts, floods and shifting rainfall. Expected outcome: better preparedness and resilience to water-related climate risks.
- Seasonal forecasts and indigenous weather knowledge in community planning
- Community water security and drought preparedness plans
- Distributed water storage and appropriate groundwater recharge
- Early warning, community awareness and disaster risk reduction
- Monitoring water availability and sustainable abstraction
How we implement: five connected stages
SACEP's model links five mutually reinforcing actions:
| Stage | Key activities | Intended result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Assess | Map water sources, catchments, land degradation and community water needs | Evidence-based water management plans |
| 2. Harvest | Establish appropriate rainwater harvesting and storage systems | Increased water availability |
| 3. Restore | Protect catchments, rehabilitate degraded land and conserve soil | Healthier ecosystems and better water retention |
| 4. Utilize | Integrate water into agroecology, livestock and sustainable livelihoods | Improved food security and household resilience |
| 5. Govern and monitor | Strengthen community institutions, water-use agreements and monitoring | Sustainable, equitable, accountable water management |
Where we focus
In the drier areas of Tharaka Nithi and neighbouring counties, we prioritise community-led interventions matched to local ecological conditions. Implementation is guided by catchment conditions, technical feasibility, water demand, environmental safeguards and community priorities:
- Mapping seasonal rivers, springs, existing infrastructure and degraded catchments
- Rainwater harvesting at household, farm, school and community level
- Water conservation integrated with indigenous seed, kitchen gardens, agroforestry and livestock
- Community-led restoration of degraded landscapes
- Dialogue among farmers, pastoralists, water users, institutions and government agencies
- Locally owned water security plans linked to county development priorities
Expected impact
- Improved and more reliable access to water
- Reduced soil erosion and land degradation
- Higher agricultural productivity and household food security
- Restored catchments and biodiversity
- More efficient and sustainable water use
- Reduced conflicts over water resources
- Stronger community participation in natural resource governance
- Greater climate resilience and sustainable rural livelihoods
Working within Kenya's frameworks
We align with Kenya's water and environmental governance frameworks, working with county departments, the Water Resources Authority, water service providers, community water institutions, research organisations and development partners. We also distinguish between water resources management — catchment protection, allocation and sustainable abstraction — and water service delivery, providing safe water to households and institutions. Both matter, and they need complementary interventions. Working across Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos and Laikipia, SACEP Kenya connects rainwater harvesting, catchment restoration, agroecology, efficient water use and inclusive governance toward water-secure communities and resilient livelihoods.