Governance of water and pasture

he newly constructed animal watering stations on the outskirts of the Gambella Wetland. / Photo: Milton Mutuma, CETRAD

Governance of water and pasture

Our Objective

Supporting sustainable management of water and pasture in Isiolo and Samburu, northern Kenya—working through local coalitions to strengthen governance, restore shared resources, and promote fair access for pastoralist communities and wildlife.
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The project was launched on March 17, 2022 and is currently in progress.

Summary

For generations, pastoralists in northern Kenya have relied on a delicate balance of water sources and grazing lands to keep their herds and communities healthy. But shifting land uses, groundwater extraction, and longer dry spells are disrupting this balance, creating tensions among people, livestock, and wildlife.

Local committees, resource stewards, and conservation partners are working together to address this—updating grazing plans, restoring neglected water points, and developing fairer bylaws for resource sharing. Communities are also mapping traditional routes and seasonal water sources to guide better planning and reduce conflict.

By strengthening local institutions and encouraging knowledge exchange, the project supports fair access to resources, helping people and nature weather increasingly unpredictable conditions.

Project Connections

Part of the topic

Stewardship
Stewardship
Part of the topic

Human well-being that supports nature
Human well-being that supports nature
Part of the solutionscape

Protecting water, wetlands, and commons under competing claims

Timeline

Understanding wetland coexistence

Project Update February 23, 2025

The project focuses on fostering effective governance structures through collaboration with grassroots groups and regional institutions. By encouraging behavior change among water and pasture users, the project promotes more sustainable practices through training, sensitization, and community-led learning. This approach helps reduce pressures on the wetland, allowing it to regenerate naturally and benefit both people and wildlife. Key initiatives include improving access to water via kiosks and troughs (long, narrow containers used to provide water or food for livestock), easing competition between livestock, wildlife, and people. This supports coexistence and reduces conflict while promoting conservation. The project also documents best practices and develops monitoring tools to ensure long-term impact and sustainability. By co-creating a shared vision for the wetland’s conservation, the project aims to strengthen local governance and resource management, ensuring that the wetland continues to support biodiversity and human livelihoods. This collaborative approach, combining knowledge exchange and innovation, seeks to ensure that the Gambella Wetland thrives for future generations.

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