Field study Kenya 2006

Water for the thirsty - a case study of Katulani location water situation, Kitui District, Kenya

Host Partner: KARI

Other Partners/Stakeholders: Ministry of Agriculture, KENFAP, Kenyatta University and University of Nairobi.

Topic: How to improve water availability for household and agricultural uses through water harvesting and conservation techniques in Katulani District.

Location: Katulani, Kitui District, Kenya

ICRA Working Document Series number: 128

Background: Stakeholders at different levels are interested in IAR4D as a research and development approach for tackling complex development challenges. The Katulani study is meant as a pilot study for such an IAR4D approach.

Katulani location in Kitui District is typical of the ASAL areas in Kenya. Rainfall is low and erratic, rivers are seasonal, wells and boreholes yield mostly saline water, and the available water is not efficiently captured.

Past efforts of various agencies of the government, NGOs and the church ti address the water situation in katulani had littel impact. The problem remained acute and pervasive.

Objectives: To establish a common understanding of the water challenge with all stakeholders.

Outputs: The team conducted a series of workshops, interviews and interactions with stakeholders to establish a common understanding of the water challenge with the stakeholders. The interactions were carried out at three levels: community, district and national levels.

At the end of the interaction, an IAR4D Collaborative Inititative was set up and a coordinating committee was selected from the stakeholders present: district level players from public and privates sectors, farmers, and the facilitating team, representing national institutions.

An institutional sensitization workshop was carried out at KARI headquarters with middle level policymakers and managers from the participating insitutions. From there top level policy makers and managers were sensitized.

Team Members:

Name	Institute	Discipline
Mary K. Ambula	Egerton University	Senior Lecturer Animal Nutrition
Peter M. Gitika	KENFAP	Trainer & Programme Officer
Rosemary N. Mwanza	MOLFD	Livestock Extension, Provincial Poultry Officer
Gitonga N. Mburugu	Kenyatta University	Microbiology, Senior Lecturer/COD
John M. Mwaniki	MOA	Agricultural extension, SADA
Sophia Ngala	University of Nairobi	Lecturer Human Nutrititon
Christine A. Onyango	JKUAT	Senior Lecturer Food Science & Technology
Maurice Shiluli	KARI	Agricultural Economist, Senior research Officer

Reviewer: Dr Richard Hawkins (United Kingdom), ICRA professional associate

ABSTRACT

It was found that in the past water projects had not allowed for building capacity within the local community to run and maintain the structures themselves. A lesson from the past is that an intervention can only be meaningful if it involves people, their views and their participation.

To solve the problem of ownership and sustainability it was suggested that villagers be part of the Katulani Collaborative Inititative.

To get the proces going a number of activities has started. A multi-stakeholder platform has been established in Katulani at both community and district level.

KEY WORDS: Katulani Collaborative Initiative, multi-stakeholder platform, stakeholder interaction at district level, water availability, institutional linkages.

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