A collaborative approach to empowering Kenya’s counties to manage water, energy, and food security

In collaboration with partners, who implement the ‘Applying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to promote Ecosystem Based Adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment’, Center for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development(CETRAD), Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA, Kenya) and Stockholm Environment Institute recently held a five-day training workshop for 30 water and energy county technical officers from Isiolo, Samburu, Meru, Laikipia and Nyahururu.

This intensive training was aimed at equipping participants with the skills to use SEI’s WEAP and LEAP tools– to model and manage sustainable resource strategies for their specific regions.

Insights

A game-changer – Dennis Ngari, a water irrigation management officer from Nyeri County, admitted these tools were “uncharted waters” and quickly saw their potential. “I can use this to illustrate scenarios using real data and show the results of different choices,” he explained. Imagine – predicting how river levels might change based on irrigation needs, allowing for informed decision-making.

Broader social impact – Barnabas Esunyen, Isiolo County’s Chief Officer for Renewable Energy, sees these tools shaping energy policy. “This training will help us optimize energy demand, guide investments, and diversify our energy sources,” he said. The future of energy in Isiolo County is now on a more sustainable path.

Collaboration is key – Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment (ENNCA) is transboundary and the participants from 5 counties appreciated the need for collaboration between the upstream and downstream as well as the need for interdisciplinary approaches for ecosystem-based adaptation.  Lepariyo Steve from Samburu County focused on water governance, sees the WEAP tool as crucial for crafting “futuristic work plans” considering the bigger picture.

Capacity building – Participants requested more training, refresher sessions, and practical field opportunities to solidify their skills. SEI has already begun offering refresher training with technical support, fostering a long-term commitment to empowering these county officials.

Reflections

Caroline Ouko from CETRAD, among the partners, said that the training process highlighted the crucial need for reliable, consistent data. “The training process shone a spotlight on the need for reliable consistent data. Participants from the 5 counties realized that there was a need to collate the different types of data. Good data leads to good scenarios and thus evidence-based planning, decision making and adaptive policies. As an example of the ongoing training learning point, the participants shared that they have identified the need for collating data on energy. The participants will be able to interrogate data at the sub-national units and enhance data quality moving forward. The continuous use of the tools will enhance the conservation of the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment (ENNCA) ecosystem.” Caroline noted.

SEI research fellow Harriette Okal noted that the training was beyond the tools; it’s about empowering counties and local communities to co-create a sustainable future.

“This training isn’t just about our WEAP and LEAP tools for water and energy modeling; it’s about empowering counties and local communities to co-create a sustainable future. We’re engaging county officials to model current situations and simulate future water and energy scenarios.” Harriet concluded.