What was the challenge?
Sustainable management of water resources depends on institutions that enable communities to participate in decision-making and collective action. In Kenya, Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs) were established to provide a framework for community participation in the management of rivers and catchments. However, many WRUAs faced operational challenges, including limited technical capacity, weak governance structures and inadequate engagement with government institutions. These constraints reduced their ability to coordinate conservation activities, participate in planning processes and represent community interests in water governance.
What did CESPAD do?
Through the Promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Kenya project, CESPAD worked with the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA), county governments and local communities to strengthen the capacity of WRUAs as local governance institutions. The project focused on improving organisational effectiveness, strengthening leadership and enhancing the ability of WRUAs to participate in catchment planning and water resources management.
Capacity development formed a central component of the intervention. WRUA leaders and members received training on Integrated Water Resources Management, governance, leadership, conflict management, participatory planning, advocacy and resource mobilisation. These activities were complemented by mentoring and technical support to enable WRUAs to apply the knowledge in their day-to-day operations and engage more effectively with county governments and other water sector institutions.
What was produced?
The project strengthened 104 Water Resource Users Associations and reached 55,200 WRUA members across Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties. To improve coordination beyond individual sub-catchments, the project also supported the establishment of three County WRUA Councils, providing representative forums through which WRUAs could engage county governments on water resource management issues.
What changed?
Strengthened institutional capacity enabled WRUAs to take a more active role in local water governance. The associations participated in the preparation of Sub-Catchment Management Plans, contributed to discussions on county policies and budgets, coordinated community conservation activities and worked with government agencies to address water management challenges. The County WRUA Councils further strengthened communication between communities and public institutions by providing structured mechanisms for consultation and information sharing.
The project also contributed to improved collaboration among institutions responsible for water resource management. WRUAs worked alongside county governments, WRMA, the Kenya Forest Service and other stakeholders in activities such as catchment protection, spring conservation and environmental awareness. These partnerships supported a more coordinated approach to managing shared water resources and reinforced the role of community institutions within the broader governance framework.
What did we learn?
The experience demonstrated that strengthening local institutions can improve community participation in water governance. As WRUAs became more organised and better connected to county planning processes, communities had greater opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting the management of their water resources. The establishment of County WRUA Councils also created institutional platforms that extended engagement beyond individual catchments and supported dialogue at county level.
Our experience indicates that investment in institutional capacity is an important component of Integrated Water Resources Management. While infrastructure and conservation activities address immediate water challenges, effective governance requires community institutions that can sustain participation, facilitate dialogue and contribute to planning and decision-making over the long term. By strengthening Water Resource Users Associations, the project supported a governance approach in which communities, technical agencies and county governments shared responsibility for the sustainable management of water resources.