Mwache Dam/Mombasa Water Fund Stakeholders’ Workshop
On Thursday 28th July 2022, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Water Security & Climate Resilience Project (KWSCRP), French Development Agency (FDA) and Jumuiya Ya Kaunti Za Pwani (JKP) held a Mwache Dam/Mombasa Water Fund Stakeholder’s Workshop at English Point Marina, Mombasa.
The objectives of the one-day meeting were to share the outcome of the Jumuiya Water Fund design with key stakeholders around the Coast, Makueni and Kajiado County; design an executable conservation project for both Chyulu Hills National Park/ Mzima springs and Mwache dam watershed (using the GEF project design model); firm up public sector and private sector engagement in development of Jumuiya Water Fund; share lessons from the pilot conservation project activities from Mwache by Coast Development Authority and KWSCRP and; agree the way forward for the water fund.
The Jumuiya Water Fund aims to provide a multi-stakeholder response to addressing environmental degradation in the Mwache Dam catchment and Mzima Springs recharge area. With the design of the catchment and recharge area complete, the Co-conveners brought the key stakeholders together to discuss and plan how to implement the recommended actions and ensure successful conservation investments.
During the Event, the Key note address was delivered by Ms.Agnes Yobterik, on behalf of the principle secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The Jumuiya Water Fund builds on the experience of over 40 other water funds that have been established in 13 Countries by The Nature Conservancy. This includes the Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund (UTNWF), launched in 2015, which has already contributed to the improved conservation and management of 40,000 ha of public forest and 78,400 ha of farmland working over 44,000 farmers. They are growing over 3.4m trees and have brought 35,000 youth into conservation. This has led to increased water yields and improved quality for local and Nairobi communities and hydropower generation.
The Jumuiya Ya County CEO, Mr. Emmanuel Kombe Nzai, highlighted the importance of the discussion in the implementation of the Go Blue Project, a 25 Million Euro project funded by the European Union and how it hinges on the Land-Marine spatial planning and environmental conservation component.
Mr. Nzai informed the participants that, natural resources and the environment is a key pillar within the Jumuiya 2030 blueprint which is also in line with the national vision 2030. ‘We are looking for partnerships within the pillar of natural resources and the environment with an intention of scaling up the funding for the Go Blue Project 2.0, from the current 25 million Euros to 100 Million Euros within the next two years by introducing Blue Bonds and Green Bonds to raise sufficient funds for the project’’, Mr. Nzai stated.
The Jumuiya Water Fund will ensure the long-term sustainability of major water supply infrastructure investments, improve the quantity and quality of future water supply to urban consumers, improve the livelihoods of communities living in water sources areas, conserve biodiversity and contribute to mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration.