What was the challenge?
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) requires coordination among institutions responsible for water resources, land management, environmental conservation and local development. At the start of the project, collaboration among government agencies, community institutions and development partners was often fragmented, resulting in duplication of efforts and limited coordination in addressing catchment management challenges. Strengthening institutional partnerships therefore became an important component of improving water governance within the Athi River Basin.
What did CESPAD do?
Under the Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Kenya project, CESPAD worked to strengthen collaboration among national and county government institutions, Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs), civil society organisations and development partners. The project recognised that effective management of shared water resources required coordinated planning, information sharing and clearly defined institutional roles.
The project convened stakeholder forums, technical meetings and policy dialogue sessions that brought together representatives from the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA), county governments, the Kenya Water Partnership (KWP), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), community organisations and other stakeholders involved in water resource management. These forums provided opportunities to review emerging challenges, coordinate interventions and strengthen alignment between local priorities and institutional programmes.
What was produced?
Partnerships also supported joint implementation of project activities. Government agencies provided technical expertise on water resources management, environmental conservation and policy development, while Water Resource Users Associations mobilised communities and coordinated local conservation initiatives. County governments participated in planning processes, policy development and investment discussions, helping to strengthen the connection between community priorities and public sector decision-making.
What changed?
The collaborative approach contributed to a more coordinated governance framework for water resources management. Institutions that previously worked independently were able to share information, jointly identify priorities and support the implementation of Sub-Catchment Management Plans. These partnerships also created opportunities for communities to engage directly with technical agencies and county governments through established governance structures such as WRUAs and County WRUA Councils.
The experience demonstrated that water governance challenges cannot be addressed by a single institution. Sustainable management of catchments requires collaboration among organisations with complementary mandates, technical expertise and community networks. Structured partnerships improve coordination, reduce duplication and enable institutions to respond more effectively to the interconnected environmental, social and economic issues affecting water resources.
What did we learn?
CESPAD's role was to facilitate these partnerships by creating platforms for dialogue, supporting joint planning and strengthening collaboration between communities and public institutions. The project illustrates how multi-stakeholder partnerships can improve governance processes, enhance institutional coordination and contribute to more integrated management of water resources at both catchment and county levels.