ABOUT US

The Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP) is a dynamic collaborative initiative working across Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru, Isiolo, and Nyandarua Counties to tackle the pressing challenges of water management in the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro North Basin. Since its launch on October 14, 2016, MKEWP has united public, private, and civil society stakeholders under a shared commitment to protect, manage, and sustain water resources for the benefit of communities and ecosystems alike.


Guided by the motto “Maji yetu, Jukumu Letu”  (“Our Water, Our Responsibility”) MKEWP’s mission is to provide an effective platform for coordinated stakeholder engagement to address the challenges of managing water as a resource within the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro North Basin. Its vision is bold and inclusive: Water Security for All within the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin.


MKEWP brings together over 40 partners, including Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs),Community Forests Associations (CFAs), county governments, civil society organizations, community groups, service providers and commercial and small-scale farmers.


Through dialogue, advocacy, collective action, and capacity development, the partnership addresses critical issues such as water allocation, efficient use, governance, infrastructure development, and institutional strengthening.

MISSION

To provide an effective platform for coordinated stakeholder engagement to address the challenges of managing water as a resource within Upper Ewaso Ng'iro North Basin

VISION

Water Security For all within the upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin

 

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

MKEWP's Transformative Impact

The Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP) has emerged as a beacon of sustainable development, driving impactful initiatives that harmonize environmental conservation with community well-being. By addressing critical challenges in water resource management, climate adaptation, and livelihoods, MKEWP has established itself as a catalyst for positive change. 


Through these initiatives, MKEWP exemplifies how partnerships can drive transformative change. By combining environmental conservation with community-driven solutions, MKEWP secures resources for future generations while empowering stakeholders to achieve sustainable development.

Empowering Communities

MKEWP recognizes that sustainable ecosystems and thriving communities go hand in hand. By providing a seed fund to support income-generating activities, the partnership has enabled local communities to diversify their livelihoods, enhancing resilience against economic and environmental shocks.

Water Security Through Innovative Financing

Scaling Water Security Through Innovative Financing. EMU SACCO’s flagship product, the Vuna Maji Loan, empowers members to achieve water security.

Citizen-Led River Health Monitoring

MKEWP’s commitment to monitoring river health underscores its dedication to preserving vital water sources. Through the WWF Kenya-funded project "Catchment to Tap," MKEWP has equipped 12 WRUAs in 4 counties with River Health Monitoring equipment for citizen-led river health assessments.


Lobbying and Advocacy

Enhancing Governance and Advocacy for Natural Resource Management through sensitization and public participation meetings with the Water Resources Authority (WRA) and other duty-bearers  have promoted equitable use and management of natural resources.

 

EMU SACCO

Ewaso Maji Users SACCO (EMU SACCO) is a groundbreaking initiative by the Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP), designed to strengthen water security for communities and households across the Ewaso Basin through innovative financial solutions. As a community-based financier, EMU SACCO supports farmers and water users in achieving sustainable access to water by providing tailored financial services that empower them to invest in water infrastructure and conservation.


With a mission to transform livelihoods through financial tools that improve water security and promote sustainable economic empowerment, EMU SACCO envisions a future where affordable investments in water infrastructure are within reach for all. By bridging financial gaps, EMU SACCO enables individuals and groups to save, access revolving funds for water projects, and adopt efficient water use practices that preserve resources across the basin.


At the heart of its services is the Vuna Maji Loan, a flagship product that helps members invest in water storage, harvesting, and efficient usage systems. This unique offering not only provides financial support but also connects members to trusted suppliers and service providers, ensuring access to high-quality products at discounted rates. In addition, EMU SACCO offers training and guidance on efficient water use, helping members maximize their investments while building resilience in the face of climate and economic challenges.


Through these efforts, EMU SACCO is redefining community water management, turning water security into a foundation for long-term prosperity in the Ewaso Basin.


PARTNERS AND PROJECTS

Increasing Ecological and Socio-economic Resilience of Upper-Ewaso Ng’iro North Ecosystem

Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP) is an implementing partner in the Darwin Extra Initiative Project, which is funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative and led by Fauna & Flora. The project, titled Increasing Ecological and Socio-Economic Resilience of the Upper-Ewaso Ng’iro North Ecosystem, targets approximately 5,800 square kilometers within this ecosystem.


Its overall aim is to enhance sustainable natural resource management, thereby increasing water security and improving ecosystem functioning. This, in turn, is expected to support key species, reduce conflict, enhance human wellbeing, and strengthen adaptation to climate change.


To achieve this outcome, the project focuses on four key areas of impact: restoring ecosystems; reducing poverty through nature-based solutions that boost food security, job creation, and income; building the capacity of local communities and institutions for equitable use and management of natural resources; and creating an enabling environment that attracts commitment and investment to scale up the project’s approaches.

Accounting for Every Drop!

Water Resources Authority (WRA) is a state corporation established under Section 11 of the Water Act, 2016. it is mandated through delegated Authority on behalf of the National government to safeguard the right to clean water by ensuring that there is proper regulation of the management and use of water resources, in order to ensure sufficient water for everyone- now and in the future.However, the Authority has been in existence for 20 years following its establishment under the Water Act, 2002 as Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA).

Catchment to Tap: Strengthening IWRM through Organised Community Institutions in Meru, Laikipia, Isiolo and Nyeri Counties

The Catchment to Tap project, supported by WWF Kenya and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, is dedicated to improving access to clean, safe water and sanitation for all users in Kenya, while strengthening climate resilience in the water sector. The project works to ensure that water and sanitation services are not only more accessible, but also more sustainable and equitable.


At its core, Catchment to Tap aims to integrate Water Resources Management (WRM) into the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to enhance its resilience and long-term sustainability. It also focuses on strengthening the capacity of authorities to implement collaborative and sustainable water supply and sanitation solutions. By promoting knowledge sharing and nexus approaches, the project connects WASH and WRM sectors to drive integrated water management.


The project is structured around three interconnected components. First, it raises awareness through advocacy that mobilizes action on Kenya’s water security challenges. Second, it promotes knowledge sharing to empower key stakeholders with the tools and insights needed to advance Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Third, it works to improve systems by building institutional capacity for more effective WRM practices.


Cross-cutting themes—such as climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and gender integration—are embedded throughout the project. These elements help demonstrate sustainable and innovative water management practices that can be scaled and replicated across Kenya.

Laikipia Wildlife Forum

Laikipia Wildlife Forum also referred to as LWF, is a dynamic membership led conservation organization supporting, coordinating and facilitating conservation and natural resource management initiatives within the greater Laikipia Landscape. They provide a platform for dialogue for a cross section of land owners and land users including local community groups, private ranchers, pastoralists, small-scale farmers and tourism ventures. Their mantra of “Forumness” calls on us to bring people together to work on matters relevant to natural resource management. LWF provides a platform for people to find solutions to common problems. This is what makes it unique and is the origin of Laikipia Wildlife Forum.

Solar Powered Irrigation systems for Food and Nutrition  Security (SPIS-4-FNS)

Solar Powered Irrigation Systems for Food and Nutrition Security (SPIS-4-FNS) is an innovative pilot project working to improve food and nutrition security for small-scale farmers in Kenya’s Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin. The initiative combines solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) with rainwater harvesting (RWH) infrastructure to promote sustainable water use and climate-resilient agriculture.


Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the project is led by the SusLAND research group at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) in Germany. It is implemented in close partnership with JKUAT Enterprises (JKUATES) and the School of Communication and Development Studies (SCDS) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).


Working together with key partners, including the Mt. Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP), the Association of Irrigation Acceleration Platform (AIAP), and the Research Institute for Water and Waste Management (FiW) at RWTH Aachen University, the project is developing practical models and strategies for scaling up SPIS technologies in the region.


The project is currently focused on three key counties: Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru. By integrating solar irrigation and rainwater harvesting, SPIS-4-FNS aims to build resilience among smallholder farmers, enhance productivity, and support sustainable water and land management in the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin.

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