In Kenya the ASAL areas occupy 80-89% of the country. In these ASAL areas, as a consequence of climate change, the frequency and severity of drought periods appear to be increasing. In 2016/17 for instance, 24 counties namely Narok, Kajiado, Taita-Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Kitui, Makueni, Marsabit, West Pokot, Tharaka-Nithi, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Laikipia, Isiolo and Garissa were hard hit by drought and experienced a decline in food and livestock production as well as water supply. This has been a recurring phenomenon that leaves the affected communities very vulnerable. With a national average rainfall of 400 mm, the country needs to harvest and store adequate water for agriculture and other uses through investment in water management infrastructure across the country. Notably, the arid counties are characterized by a network of ephemeral streams that only flow during the rainy seasons. These streams provide a unique opportunity of increasing access to water for communities in these regions through construction of inline water harvesting and storage structures.
The Government of Kenya's policy documents identify over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture as one of the contributors to frequent food shortages and insecurity in the country. Therefore, in order to overcome food shortage and achieve food security, the Government intends to increase funding of irrigation related development activities by carrying out the following:
a) Rehabilitate and extend existing large and small scale irrigation schemes
b) Develop water storage facilities and improve existing water storage facilities so as to harness excess rain water thereby reducing negative impacts related to floods and increase access to water during drought periods.
c) Develop new irrigation schemes through optimum utilization of available resources,
The implementation of the project will increase access to water by communities in arid areas to support their livelihoods mainly agricultural production and watering their animals. Management of water resources in Kenya, being a scarce resource is a daunting task and will require innovative approaches.
