DROUGHT PERSISTS IN KENYA'S MAKUENI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 NAIROBI 004165

SIPDIS

AIDAC

USAID/DCHA FOR WGARVELINK, LROGERS
DCHA/OFDA FOR KISAACS, GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, IMACNAIRN,
KCHANNELL
DCHA/FFP FOR LLANDIS, SBRADLEY
AFR/EA FOR JBORNS, SMCCLURE
ROME FOR FODAG
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
STATE FOR JGAFFNEY, NGAREY
NSC FOR JMELINE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID KE
SUBJECT: DROUGHT PERSISTS IN KENYA'S MAKUENI
DISTRICT

Summary


1. Rainfall amounts below historical averages
continue to negatively affect residents in several
Divisions of the Makueni District, Kenya. The lack
of rain and ground water has impacted local
livelihoods, public health and been responsible for a
significant out migration. Poor management and
negligent water conservation practices are
compounding the problem. OFDA partners German Agro
Action (GAA) and World Vision (WV) are effectively
addressing water and sanitation needs in the District
through construction and community education
activities. The Humanitarian situation in general
has changed little since the last OFDA visit to the
District in March 2005. Stakeholders are hoping that
the seasonal Short Rains (October ? December) will
provide relief to the region. End Summary

Background


2. OFDA Regional Advisor visited OFDA supported GAA
activities in the Kibwezi Division of Makueni on
September 14-15; and WV projects in Kathonzweni
Division on September 21-22. GAA received USD
500,000 from OFDA to construct 5 water catchment
tanks at local primary schools and 2 shallow wells.
In September, OFDA awarded WV USD 232,000 to increase
access to clean water in the Kathonzweni Division
through the construction and rehabilitation of
shallow wells. Both interventions include community
education components focused on water management,
sanitation and conservation. During the visits, on
site interviews were conducted with local residents,
government officials, and the local Member of
Parliament (MP).

Current Situation


3. Makueni District continues to be affected by
inadequate rainfall. The recent Long Rains
Assessment (conducted jointly by UN and GOK
officials) found that more than 76 percent of the
population in Makueni drinks untreated water, the
average distance traveled to collect water was
between 6-8 kilometers, and diarrhea disease was the
areas major morbidity.


4. Although a fee-based government water pipeline
serves communities along the main highway, the
network does not extend to the majority of the
outlying population. Traditional water points such
as streams and ponds have all but dried up. Several
primary schools visited had no dedicated water points
and were dependent on contributions from student
families for drinking and hygiene needs.


5. Little has changed from the last OFDA visit to
the area in March 2005. There were few signs of
government investment with respect to improving
access to water. Government humanitarian
interventions in Makueni are primarily food for work
schemes targeting politically important
constituencies. However, nutrition is not a concern
in Makueni according to an August UNICEF assessment
which found global acute malnutrition rates below 4
percent.


6. The conditions in the Kathonzweni Division of
Makueni are best described as bone dry and there has
been no significant rainfall for the last three
years. Agricultural fields are barren, there is
little green vegetation to speak of, and the dirt
tracts are covered with 3 inches of fine dust powder.
Water for many of the residents of Kathonzweni comes
from the Athi River which snakes through the region.
The drought's impact on agriculture (areas main
source of livelihood) has forced many head of
household to migrate to Nairobi or surrounding cities
in search of day labor.


7. Despite the fact that the water table is
relatively high, there are few proper wells and
families travel significant distances to collect
water. Families interviewed reported spending 3-4
hours per day collecting water for household use,
which detracts from using time for other productive
pursuits (education, animal husbandry). Donkeys
loaded with water containers are a constant site
through out the Division. Wells that were visited
were in disrepair and open to contamination from
animals and people. Many of the children seen had
obvious sanitation related skin diseases, and several
children that should have been in school were helping
mothers collect and transport water for the
household. Livelihood generally depends on the sale
of livestock or remittance payments.

OFDA Partners


8. OFDA supports GAA emergency activities promoting
increased access to clean water. Five 50,000 liter
water tanks have been constructed at primary schools
in the Makindu and Kibwezi Divisions providing for
more than 3,500 students. The tanks collect
rainwater from the roofs of the adjacent schools.
This scheme was chosen since the depth required for
digging wells is cost prohibitive. All five of the
water tanks had been completed, rain has already
started to fall at some of the school locations, and
the tanks seem to be functioning well. School
officials were grateful for the assistance and
optimistic that water collected will contribute to
hygiene improvement.


9. Two shallow OFDA wells now completed are
providing clean water to 300 families. High levels
of community participation were evident at all
project sites as indicated by the substantial
material and labor support provided; and by the speed
at which the structures were finished. Residents are
maintaining the sites to ensure that interventions
are sustainable beyond the current emergency.


10. Through partner World Vision, five shallow wells
will be constructed or rehabilitated, and an existing
community motorized system will be extended in the
Kathonzweni Division. These interventions will
provide clean water to more than 40,000 people and
activities are expected to be completed in 6 months.
World Vision has already identified staff, materials,
and sensitized communities to the activity.
Construction activities will be complimented with
sanitation and conservation education that includes
training for water point management.

Local Government


11. The District Water Commissioner for Makueni
acknowledged the drought and discussed government
intentions for providing assistance. Quality of
existing water sources was a concern since the Athi
River is polluted with heavy metals and other
contaminants. District assessments found that more
than 50 percent of the population traveled 10
kilometers to locate a water source. An estimated 71
percent of the population of Makueni lives below the
poverty line and it is considered Kenya's second
poorest District.


12. The Commissioner stressed the importance of
community education and organization as a resolution
of the current problem. He felt that although the
government had money available to assist with
expanding access to clean water, many of the affected
communities did not have the capacity to manage or
maintain a local water point. The Commissioner was
aware of USAID/OFDA activities in the District and
reiterated his support. The interventions fit well
with national and local water policies and he was
especially supportive of the community training
components.


13. The local MP, Mr. Kivutha Kibwana, was
coincidently residing at the local hotel in Wote
town. He acknowledged that improved access to clean
water is a priority, was familiar with and confident
in the capacity of OFDA implementation partners and
their relationships with local communities. He
emphasized the need to strengthen community capacity
to manage and sustain the international assistance
provided. He is concerned about the flight of people
from the area in search of livelihood opportunities
and said he was working to fully exploit the local
potential for agriculture as a resolution to the
problem.

Conclusions


14. The field visits support the finding of the
recent UN/GOK Long Rain Assessment that drought
continues to affect residents in the Makueni District
and access to clean water needs to be improved.
During the visit, no notable increase in water
related disease or malnutrition when compared to the
OFDA visit last March was found.


15. Access to water in sufficient quantities (for
personal, animal, and agricultural use) continues to
be a major problem for rural populations in the
Kathonzweni, Makindu and Kibwezi Divisions. The
situation is most acute at primary schools and rural
villages far from the government sponsored water
pipeline located along the Mombassa Highway. The
harvesting of rain water is a practical and cost
effective response to providing water in southern
Makueni communities due to the expense of digging
wells or extending piped water from central
government locations. Shallow well construction is
appropriate in the eastern sections of the Makueni
District due to the elevated water table.


16. GAA has done a good job implementing the current
USAID/OFDA program. The construction of 5 water
catchment tanks and two shallow wells have been
completed ahead of schedule. Sanitation and water
management education activities continue.


17. World Vision has implemented several successful
programs in the District and is a capable USAID/OFDA
partner. Government authorities have endorsed
USAID/OFDA activities since they complement the
national and local strategic water objectives.
Community education and water management training
will improve impact and promote sustainability of the
identified projects.


18. Improved rains during the short rain season
scheduled for October-December will increase the
availability of water from natural water points and
local water harvesting schemes, thus providing an
exit opportunity for current USAID/OFDA activities.
BELLAMY