What was the challenge?
Communities living within the Athi River Basin depend on natural resources for agriculture, livestock production and household incomes. However, land degradation, declining vegetation cover and unsustainable use of water resources had reduced agricultural productivity in many areas, increasing pressure on already fragile catchments. Addressing these challenges required approaches that linked environmental conservation with livelihood improvement so that communities could benefit directly from sustainable resource management.
What did CESPAD do?
Through the Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Kenya project, CESPAD worked with communities, Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs), county governments and technical agencies to promote livelihood activities that complemented catchment restoration efforts. The project introduced practical interventions that supported sustainable land management while creating opportunities for income generation.
Communities received training and technical support on enterprises that were compatible with improved management of land and water resources. These included horticultural production, establishment of tree nurseries and dairy goat farming. The activities were implemented alongside conservation measures such as catchment rehabilitation, tree planting and sustainable water management to encourage livelihoods that depended on maintaining healthy ecosystems rather than degrading them.
What was produced?
Our project evidence shows that the livelihood initiatives generated an estimated KSh 7.4 million from the sale of horticultural produce, tree seedlings and dairy goats during the implementation period. The income provided participating households with additional livelihood opportunities while reinforcing the value of investing in sustainable management of natural resources.
What changed?
The integration of livelihoods with environmental conservation also strengthened community participation in catchment management. Households that benefited from these enterprises became more actively involved in conservation activities coordinated through WRUAs and community groups, recognising that the productivity of their enterprises depended on healthy catchments and reliable water resources. This strengthened the connection between environmental stewardship and local economic development.
The experience demonstrated that conservation initiatives are more likely to be sustained when they respond to community livelihood needs. While environmental restoration provides long-term ecological benefits, complementary livelihood opportunities can help reduce pressures that contribute to resource degradation and encourage continued community participation in conservation activities.
What did we learn?
Our approach illustrates the importance of integrating natural resource management with local economic development. By supporting livelihood options that are compatible with sustainable land and water management, the project contributed to both improved household incomes and the long-term protection of catchment ecosystems. The experience reinforces the principle that environmental conservation and rural livelihoods can be mutually supportive when planned and implemented through participatory approaches.