On Monday, Taita Taveta Constituency Member of Parliament Naomi Shaban and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Kenya) CEO Mohamed Awer handed over a BMZ climate change adaptation project to the community in Lumi, Taita-Taveta Sub-County.
The project was funded by the BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation to the tune of up to Ksh 7 million.
During the ceremony, Shaban thanked WWF-Kenya for implementing the project, which has reduced human-wildlife conflict incidences by bringing water closer to the people.
‘The project is a welcome investment in the community because by bringing the water closer to the people, the initiative has reduced human-wildlife conflict incidences as locals no longer have to compete for water at watering points with wildlife and livestock,’ she said.
Shaban also noted that the Taveta NG-CDF had established seven communal water points, further reducing the need for locals to compete for water.
Community project treasurer Hannah Mwaiwo praised the project, saying that women and girls no longer have to trek for over 10 kilometres in search of water.
‘We shall put up meters for those who are receiving piped water and also charge a small fee for those who fetch from the water points, this is to make sure we are making money from the initiative which will in turn benefit the community,’ Mwaiwo said.
WWF-Kenya CEO Mohamed Awer noted that the project is meant to improve the livelihoods of the local people to adapt to climate change through the adoption of renewable energy and enhance the coexistence of people with wildlife.
The project is an integrated development conservation project aimed at resolving human-wildlife conflict, enhancing community empowerment, and piloting nature-based solutions.
WWF-Kenya has also dug six other water pans for use by wildlife and livestock in Kasigau, Mgeno, Mbulia, Lumo, Bura, and Kasigau in the Tsavo sub-landscapes.
