Kenya Projects

Completed farm pond with drip irrigation, Laikipia West district, Kenya. Source: KRA

Kenya Rainwater Association (KRA) works in arid and semi-arid areas across Kenya implementing rainwater harvesting and management (RHM) projects. The projects improve access to water; improve livelihoods and food security; and reduce poverty for rural communities. Community members work in partnership with KRA and donors to ensure a sustainable and successful project. A KRA Technical Assistant is permanently based at every site to manage the project development; oversee construction; build community capacity; liaise with local Government; and generally be a focal point to ensure project success.

Our Current Projects

EU/Skillshare Integrated Rainwater Harvesting and Management in Eight Semi-Arid Districts of Kenya (2008–2011)

In partnership with the European Union (EU) and Skillshare International, this 4-year project integrates rainwater harvesting (farm ponds, earth dams/water pans, school roof catchment systems), improved sanitation (ventilated improved pit latrines-VIP), complementary technologies (drip irrigation, bee-keeping, vegetable growing), and rangeland rehabilitation (draught animal technologies and tree planting). Target districts are: Baringo, Laikipia East, Laikipia West, Koibatek/Mogotio, Narok North, Narok South, Nyandarua North, and Transmara. The project is benefitting over 20,000 community members and schools, this project will greatly improve food security, water access, health, and livelihoods in the target districts.

New Life Mission Water, Food Security, and Child and Gender Rights, Mashuru Division (2010–2013)

Central to this project is the promotion of RHM as a means of improving the livelihoods of the vulnerable Maasai community in Mashuru division, Kajiado county. In partnership with New Life Mission (NLM), this KRA/NLM project is targeting over 7,000 beneficiaries. The project is improving water access by constructing farm ponds, school roof catchment systems, shallow wells, and improving livelihood options by integrating vegetable gardens, drip irrigation, and environmental conservation. The project also integrates workshops and training on gender and child rights.

UNDP-GEF/SGP Climate Change Mitigation Project, Laikipia East District (2010–2011)

This project is implemented by KRA in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Global Environment Facility (GEF)/Small Grants Programme (SGP). The project focuses on climate change mitigation and is integrating a wind-powered pump, fuel-efficient stoves, and solar disinfection for drinking water (SODIS) with our package of  RHM and complementary technologies in the form of  farm ponds and school roof catchment systems, VIP latrines, tree planting, vegetable growing, bee-keeping, drip irrigation, and rangeland rehabilitation.  The project targets 48 community-based organisations across Daiga and Ontulili divisions in Laikipia East and Mbuuri districts.

USAID-KHCP  Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation Project, Ukambani and Coast Regions (2011–2014)

In partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Kenya Horticultural Competitiveness Programme (KHCP), KRA is implementing this project in Ukambani and Coast regions, focusing on increasing household incomes through growth in the horticultural sector. The project is introducing rainwater harvesting by constructing 190 farm ponds,  and complementary technologies (micro-irrigation systems and  tumbukiza [planting] pits for horticultural production). The project will undertake extensive  capacity building with farmer field days and training on RHM systems and complementary technologies. Over 4,000 farmers will be reached by the project and benefit directly from the systems. A further 750 will also benefit from the training component. In addition, micro-finance opportunities will be introduced to the project beneficiaries.

List of Previous Projects

Click here for a list: GHARP/KRA List of Previous Projects