Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

The increase in water demand from a rapidly expanding human population, coupled with oversight management has threatened the ecosystem health of Lake Naivasha basin (LNB). In response to this challenge, the Kenya government has in the recent past instituted the formation of Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs) for participatory management of water resources at local levels. Twelve WRUAs were formed to manage the LNB. This paper provides a wider understanding of WRUA participation, constraints, and opportunities in managing water resources through the analysis of three WRUAs within the basin. Results reveal that WRUAs have a great opportunity of managing the water resources in terms of awareness, conflict resolution, water development projects, and livelihood improvement within the basin. Institutional and policies gaps limit effective participation of WRUAs. However, future development of WRUAs as the bona fide stakeholders in water use, benefit sharing, and management can improve the management of water resources.