Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Project (KWSCRP)

Start & End Date: 2013-2022

Country/Countries: Kenya

Multilateral Institution(s) Involved: World Bank

Kenya has limited freshwater endowments and is already classified as a chronically ‘water scarce’ country in absolute and relative terms. The mere 526 m3 per capita annual freshwater availability places it in the bottom 8% of countries globally (in comparison, South Africa has a per capita water availability of approximately 1000 m3 and Benin enjoys approximately 3000 m3 per capita water availability). Over 80% of the country is comprised of arid or semi-arid lands (ASALs). A further complicating factor is that approximately 54% of Kenya’s water resources are shared with neighboring countries. There is growing competition (and even conflict) over limited water resources, with rising population, economic growth, and urbanization placing increasing pressures on the water resource base. Severe degradation, primarily caused by deforestation and unsuitable agricultural practices, of the country’s key water catchment areas (known as “water towers”) has exacerbated this situation.

The development objectives of the Water Security and Climate Resilience Project for Kenya are to (i) increase availability and productivity of irrigation water for project beneficiaries; and (ii) enhance the institutional framework and strengthen capacity for water security and climate resilience for the country. In particular, KWSCRP will foster growth that is efficient in its use of natural resources, clean in that it minimizes environmental impacts, and resilient in that it reduces social vulnerabilities and accounts for natural hazards and the role of environmental management and natural capital in preventing physical disasters.

As of April 2021, the Water Resources Authority (WRA) has been established and is operational, and the Water Act, Sector Policy and Regulations have been adopted. As of May 2021, the project has been able to increase the percentage of institutions mandated by the Water Act. Also as of April 2021, they have increased agricultural activities, capacity building of WRA and other sector instituions, and Mombasa water distribution.