KAMITI COMMUNITY
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
THROUGH HYDRUM WATERPUMP
BY DAVID KARIUKI & FCPA DAVID M. BAIYA

SOURCE OF RIVER KAMITI

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION
KAMITI WRUA
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH LIVELIHOOD
COMPONENT
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
PARTNERSHIPS
AND
COLLABOLATIONS
CAPACITY BUILDING,
TRAINING AND
MENTORSHIP
POLICY FRAMEWORK
 WATER ACT 2016
 EMCA 2015
REGURATORY BODIES
 WRA
 NEMA
 MINISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENT
PARTNERS
• UNEP
• COMMUNITY BASED
ORGANISATIONS
• KIAMBU COUTY
GOVERNMENT

INTRODUCTION
 Kamiti River originates from Roromo wetland in uplands and is under
serious threat from conversion
 Population density increases from the upper catchment section towards
the lower urbanized area, providing an indication of the pressure on the
land.
 While land degradation is prevalent throughout the sub-catchment of
Kamiti River, the wetland areas and riverine area provide areas of high
hotspots of degradation that need to be addressed urgently.

Land use of Kamiti river watershed

INTRODUCTION CONT.,
 The need to meet local livelihood through raising income and food
production at domestic should be addressed through introduction of
suitable alternative farming approaches such as growing of high value crops.
 Being close to the large urban areas of Nairobi, Kiambu and Limuru finding
markets for such crops would not be a challenge.
 From upper to middle part of the watershed, the gradient is steep and this
encourages soil erosion and thus there is need to use soil management
structures to control speed of storm water.
 We need to create a win-win situation there is need to trigger buy-in with
stakeholders early to ensure all are pulling in the same direction.

Our Approach
 We research,
 We organize,
 We intervene,
 We influence,
 We educate,
 We collaborate,
 We innovate
We expect to achieve five focus areas
1. Wetland conservation
2. Public health
3. Agricultural diversity
4. Capacity building
5. Innovation and research

Agricultural Diversity
 Unsustainable and outdated agricultural practices around or near wetlands
introduce chemical contaminants into the hydrological cycle, or upset vital
ecosystems around wetland areas.
 Kamiti WRUA encourages sustainable agricultural practices that do not
unbalance wetland ecosystems
Capacity Building
 Kamiti WRUA plugs the environmental conservation knowledge gap by
impacting information, creating awareness and influencing positive altitudes.
 We are currently involved in reviving and revamping environmental clubs in
learning institutions to inculcate a conservation culture among upcoming
generations

Research and Innovation
 KAMITI WRUA conducts research
and collects data
 Environment, its dynamics and
stakeholders - when analyzed it helps
us design and implement effective
programs and initiatives.
 One such innovation is the Hydro
pump that is instrumental in the
whole catchment.
Dr. Esther Kitur and Mr. David Kariuki at one of the Hydraulic
Water pumps’ sites (Photo credit: RCE Greater Nairobi)

INTERVENE Kenya designs and executes
KAMITI WRUA designs and executes projects and initiatives in environmental conservation and
environmental health with the objective of reversing the negative impact of human activities on our
environment.
INFORM
Kamiti WRUA imparts skills, knowledge and resources to the public to encourage positive behavioral
change that will lead to sustainable resource use and lifestyles.
INNOVATE
Our organizations use research and innovation to develop homegrown technologies and inventions
that enhance sustainable resource use
INTEGRATE
Our activities and project aim to integrate sustainable practices and principles in resource use,
especially among farmers
INSPIRE
Our organization also carries out community awareness and participatory activities to engage and
educate the public on environmental conservation, and by extension elicit positive behavioral
change in the community

COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT ONE OF THE HYDRUM WATER PUMPS SITE

LOCALLY FABRICATED HYDRUM AT WORK

WATER RESOUVIORS HARVESTING WATER PUMPED BY HYDRUM

SUSTAINABLE FARMING BY THE COMMUNITY ON THE HIGHER GROUND DURING THE DRY
SEASON

THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME