What was the challenge?
The Kibos-Kajulu catchment crosses county boundaries, linking communities in Kisumu and Nandi through the same water system. That makes restoration a shared responsibility: action in one part of the catchment can affect water quality, availability and livelihoods downstream.
What did CESPAD do?
Through the Western Kenya Water Program, CESPAD worked with Kajulu Community Forest Association, county governments, the Water Resources Authority and other partners to connect practical restoration with stronger local institutions, better evidence and new income opportunities.
Kajulu community groups began restoring degraded areas through tree planting and nursery development. We supported planting in Kajulu Forest and along degraded land, alongside continued work to expand the supply of catchment-friendly seedlings. In October and November 2024, the Kajulu group planted about 1,500 tree seedlings in Kajulu Forest.
What was produced?
The wider Kisumu programme also supported three sub-catchment management plans and trained local Water Resources User Associations on improved water resources management. These plans give communities and public agencies a shared basis for identifying risks, coordinating restoration and following through on local priorities.
What changed?
Restoration was paired with a commercial beekeeping initiative. Kajulu Community Forest Association received 30 Langstroth beehives and already had four additional hives, creating a practical link between tree planting, bee forage and household income. During the reporting period, 10 hives had been colonised and the first honey harvest was expected in April 2025.
The model is designed to make conservation economically useful. By creating an income stream connected to a healthy forest, beekeeping can help reduce pressure on destructive activities while encouraging continued care for the catchment. It also creates a pathway toward a wider value chain for honey and other bee products.
What did we learn?
We supported cooperation across Kisumu, Nandi and Vihiga. Through the Journey of Water campaign, CESPAD and its partners reached 2,891 people with messages about the importance of protecting River Kibos and the catchment areas that supply it.
The three counties committed to work toward a joint water-resource facility, enabling policies, a shared catchment management plan and stronger coordination for transboundary water management. We also supported a Payment for Ecosystem Services process in the Kibos-Kajulu basin. A technical working group involving KIWASCO and Kibos Sugar Factory engaged four sub-catchments—Kobujoi, Kisat, Kajulu and Kibos—to examine pollution, deforestation and possible incentives for conservation.