As Kenya grapples with another drought in the northern and coastal regions, the country is reminded of the devastating impact of droughts and floods. The effects of climate change are becoming more pronounced, with droughts often followed by floods that damage property and imperil lives.
Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands cover almost 80% of the country, making it crucial to implement solutions that incorporate rainwater harvesting and stormwater capture. Rainwater harvesting is a simple water retention technique that involves capturing and storing rainwater from roof and ground catchments to deal with excess overflow from scorched areas.
Surface runoff can be used for recharging groundwater, positively affecting springs and shallow wells. Collecting surface runoff in reservoirs can also be used for managing floods and droughts. For instance, using large diameter pipes can carry large volumes of water away from affected areas without adversely affecting local communities and businesses.
Rainwater harvesting systems are cost-effective, decentralized, and participatory, benefiting communities in rural and urban areas. The technology is an established practice in Kenya, but its full potential has not been applied in both rural and urban contexts. Rainwater harvesting yields numerous social and economic benefits, contributing to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared the ongoing crisis a national disaster, prompting national and county governments to invest in critical infrastructure that will mitigate the adverse effects of drought and extreme rainfall. Systemic management of rainwater and stormwater requires substantial investment in piping to and from rainwater tanks and stormwater piping.
The National Treasury has allocated Ksh2.55 billion for water storage and flood control in the current fiscal year, while the Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation plans to invest Ksh5 billion through the World Bank to assist water utilities recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recognizing the importance of rainwater harvesting in this era of climate change, where rainfall is scarce and unpredictable, is a step in the right direction. However, there is still much more to be done to ensure that Kenya finally ends the cycle of droughts and floods that continuously affect millions. The time to act is now.
