2011年-世界发展银行全球_Kenya_Groundwater_Governance_Case_Study_105页_2mb

Kenya Groundwater Governance Case Study Summary

Core Content

This case study, part of the World Bank's "Too Big to Fail: The Paradox of Groundwater Governance" project, examines groundwater governance in Kenya. It focuses on four case study aquifers (CSAs): Merti, Nairobi Aquifer System (NAS), Tiwi, and Baricho. The report evaluates the current governance framework, identifies challenges, and proposes management actions to improve groundwater management, especially in the context of climate change.

Main Findings

• Groundwater Importance: Groundwater constitutes about 5% of Kenya's renewable water resources but plays a critical role in water supply, especially in rural areas and for domestic, industrial, and irrigation use.
• Water Scarcity: Kenya is a water-scarce country, with an annual resource endowment of 21 billion cubic meters. Groundwater is vital for meeting water needs, particularly in areas with limited surface water.
• Current Management Issues:
  • Groundwater is not effectively managed, with new allocations not based on formal assessments or plans.
  • Poor compliance with water permits and user charges leads to uncertainty in water allocation.
  • Groundwater conservation areas (GCAs) have failed to protect the NAS from depletion and pollution.
  • There is a lack of coordination across sectors and between institutions, leading to fragmented management.
  • Groundwater is perceived as a private resource, resulting in overexploitation and neglect of long-term sustainability.
• Implementation Gaps:
  • The Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) lacks trained staff, technical resources, and the right structure to manage aquifers.
  • Overlaps in responsibilities between the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and implementing agencies hinder effective governance.
  • There is poor public understanding of groundwater characteristics and its connection to surface water.

Key Aquifers and Their Characteristics

Main Recommendations

1. Adopt and Implement the Draft Groundwater Protection Policy: This policy outlines key requirements for improving groundwater governance, including:

   • User participation and empowerment.
   • Decentralization of management to local levels.
   • Integration of surface and groundwater management.
   • Improved monitoring and data collection.
   • Identification of sites for managed aquifer recharge (MAR).
   • Mapping of strategic aquifers and conjunctive use opportunities.
   • Identification of groundwater conservation areas.

2. Develop a Pilot Groundwater Management Plan: The report recommends creating a pilot plan for an aquifer like Tiwi to generate agreement on necessary actions to protect groundwater before significant issues arise.

3. Integrate Groundwater Management into Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): The ongoing and planned water supply masterplans for Nairobi and the Coast region should be used as opportunities to address groundwater governance challenges within an integrated framework.

4. Enhance Institutional Capacity and Coordination:

   • Strengthen the WRMA's capacity with trained staff, technical resources, and appropriate structures.
   • Clarify roles and responsibilities between the Ministry and implementing agencies to reduce overlaps and improve data sharing.
   • Involve local institutions, such as CAACs and WRUAs, in groundwater management decisions.

5. Improve Public Awareness and Transparency:

   • Increase understanding of groundwater's unique characteristics and its connection to surface water.
   • Enhance transparency in water allocation decision-making to build trust and ensure compliance.

Climate Change and Groundwater

• Climate Change Impacts: Increased variability in rainfall and temperature is affecting surface water sources, making groundwater an increasingly important resource.
• Adaptation Strategies: Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is proposed as a key adaptation measure to enhance groundwater sustainability and resilience to climate change.

Conclusion

Kenya has a strong legal and institutional framework for water resources management, but its implementation for groundwater is lacking. A paradigm shift is needed to move from ad hoc and sector-based management to a more integrated and proactive approach. The report emphasizes the importance of policy adoption, institutional strengthening, and public engagement in achieving sustainable groundwater management.