Monthly newsletter

1. Data and knowledge management is rapidly becoming one of the most important as-
pects of water management enabling professional and organizations to collectively
and systematically make informed decision to better achieve their objectives. The
complexity of water issues such as climate change, unplanned developments, poverty,
population increase and intensifying competition among water issues often require
large amount of diverse data for effective water resource management. Obtaining of
this diverse amount of data is largely aided by methods that allow accurate and timely
data. However, to-date there is little documentation of local knowledge and cases
focusing on management and application of water resources is available.
In Kenya, water managers and practitioners frequently cite limitation for data and
knowledge management as; poor quality, gaps in the collected data, common data for-
mat, limited technological and human capacity for data collection and processing, so-
cial and institutional attitudes and weak institutional coordination for data sharing.
WaterCap has identified the need for a priority attention in enhancement of data and
knowledge for water management, and where possible by use of new technologies
such as mobile applications and remote sensing. What is clear, these knowledge and
information challenges can be gradually overcome if both individual and institutions
embrace mutual cooperation to produce effective up-to-date, predictive and analytical
water knowledge.,
Recent collaborated activity to map water resources in Kajiado County was illuminat-
ing in many ways. The Water Dialogue session in September will share the exciting
results of this activity.
Network Manager
August 2014
i. Bridging
knowledge and
information gaps
in water resource
management
ii. Training Work-
shop on the use of
GIS and Mobile
Application in wa-
ter resources data
and knowledge
management
iii. Catchment Man-
agement Strate-
gies
iv. Spotlight
v. Did you know?
vi. Upcoming Events
Bridging knowledge and information gaps in water resource management
Training Workshop on the use of GIS and Mobile application in water resources data and knowledge
management
WaterCap in partnership with SWAP-BFZ, WRMA, Moi Univer-
sity and AKVO hosted a workshop on “Use of GIS and mobile
application in water resources data and knowledge management”
with an aim of bridging knowledge and information gaps in water
resources management. Since March, several partners meeting
were held to deliberate the potential of adopting emergent technol-
ogy for water resources data and knowledge management.
The participants observed that there is a strong demand for inte-
grated water information. To tackle this demand, there is need to adopt technological and social approaches to
enhance data and knowledge management for water resources. The workshop was in preparation of a field
school that was carried out in Kajiado County. Moi University will present a paper on the September Water
Dialogue on the use of GIS and mobile application in water resources data and knowledge management. For
more info: info@watercap.org
Inside this issue;

2. Spot Light: BENARD OPAA
Brief Information about myself?
I am a Social Ecologist currently working with NEMA as a wetland specialist. I have
over 10 years hand on experience in natural resource management and community devel-
opment. I have been a member of WaterCap since 2010
How have you benefitted from being a Network member?
I have been able to improve my skills and knowledge on IWRM, and furthermore as a WaterCap member I
expanded my links and networks at the regional and international discourses. The Network programmes such
as the Water Dialogue highlighted new opportunities and challenges within the water sector, creating a mind-
set shift towards holistic and multi-stakeholder approaches in addressing water resources issues.
How do you want to see the network develop?
I want to see more vibrancy and advocacy work towards policy influence. It would be worthwhile to explore
new opportunities for strengthening capacity for improved water and natural resources governance especially
linking oil and gas development and devolved governments.
Did you know?
Lake Magadi is the Southern-
most Lake in the Kenyan Rift
Valley, approximately 100km2
.
The lake lies in a catchment with
faulted volcanic rocks North of
Tanzania Lake Natron. During
the dry season, 80% of the lake
is covered by soda. Lake Magadi
is an example of a “saline pan”. It is mainly recharged
by saline hot springs that normally discharges into alka-
line “lagoons” around the lake margin.
Upcoming Events
WASPA Annual Conference
Water Dialogue
Publications
The Climate Change Bill 2014
Water Bill 2014
Catchment Management Strategies
WRMA are in the processes of updating the six Catchment Management Strategies for Tana, Athi, LVSCA
and ENNCA. An initial draft has been presented to the County Governments for their inputs and thereafter it
will be exposed to the larger catchment stakeholders. The objective of this updating is;
 To assess the extent in which the various strategic actions in the lapsing CMS were implemented.
 To evaluate the relevance of the strategic actions. This is also an opportunity to consider WRMA’s other
specific issues considered important for inclusion in the revised Catchment Management Strategy
(Climate change, flood management and livelihood enhancement for WRUA members).
The development of strategic actions up to 2022 is to take cognizance of the National Water Master Plan
2030. CMS outline framework
WRMA is welcoming views and inputs from stakeholders and general public. For more info: kin-
yua@wrma.or.ke