This archive report was first published on 8 October 2021.
Published on October 8, 2021, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has secured a Sh1 billion grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to combat the effects of climate change in the lower eastern region of Kenya.
The funding will be used to improve water security and reduce the impact of drought in the River Athi catchment area, which is home to over 1 million residents.
Nema Director-General Boru Mamo explained that the catchment area is water-insecure, with most of River Athi's tributaries having significantly reduced or dried-up, leading to a negative water balance.
As a result, reliance on groundwater has increased to meet growing water demand, making the region prone to drought.
However, the region also suffers from disasters linked to flooding in the River Athi basin.
The grant is expected to directly benefit 1,156,620 people in the area, which will be supported by Nema in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Water Resources Authority.
The project will see the agency invest in water supply infrastructure in four vulnerable counties in the region, including the construction and rehabilitation of water pans, springs, sand dams, boreholes, and rainwater harvesting tanks.
Some of the funds will also be spent on monitoring water quality and enforcing quality rules through investments that enable real-time testing of water.
Additionally, some funds will be put into strengthening weather monitoring and forecasting through the development of a National Information Centre for integrated water resource management.
