The Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership (MKEWP) serves as an implementing partner for the Darwin Extra Initiative Project, funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative and led by Fauna & Flora. This project is titled ‘Increasing Ecological and Socio-Economic Resilience of the Upper-Ewaso Ng’iro North Ecosystem.’

Focusing on approximately 5,800 km² of the Upper-Ewaso Ng'iro North Ecosystem, the project aims to achieve a significant outcome: sustainable natural resource management that enhances water security and ecosystem functioning within the region. This initiative will support key species, reduce conflict, improve human well-being, and foster adaptation to climate change.

To realize these objectives, the project will deliver four key outputs:

1. Ecosystem Restoration

2. Poverty Reduction through nature-based solutions to enhance food security, job creation, and income generation

3. Capacity Building among local communities and institutions for the equitable use and management of natural resources

4. Development of an enabling environment to secure commitment and investment for the broader scaling up of project approaches.

WWF Kenya, with funding support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, is implementing a Water Security Project known as ‘Catchment to Tap.’

The primary objective of this project is to improve access to clean, safe water in adequate quantities and quality while enhancing climate resilience within the water sector and ensuring sanitation services for all users. This will be achieved through three immediate goals:

1. Enhanced resilience and sustainability of the WASH sector considering climate change and social economic trends through increased synergies between WASH and WRM sectors
2. Enhanced capacity of Authorities in WASH and WRM to develop and implement coherent collaborative nexus approaches to enhance and sustain water supply and sanitation for all
3. Enhanced knowledge and sharing of information on nexus approaches on WASH and WRM sectors.

The project comprises three components, each with specific outcomes:

Component 1: Awareness, Lobby, and Advocacy -

• Outcome 1: Relevant audiences have developed an understanding of and have been mobilized to act on the challenges and risks associated with (not) meeting future water demand and have been provided with options to act. Actions to strengthen and improve IWRM practices across the county through support to stakeholder led demonstrations.

Component 2: Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Development

• Outcome 2: Enhanced knowledge and sharing of information on IWRM, considering lessons learned, with NL initiatives and a preferred central role for Kenyan knowledge institutions

Component 3: Improved Systems and Structures

• Outcome 3: Enhanced capacity of IWRM authorities to develop and implement integrated, coherent and collaborative approaches for water security.

The realization of the three outcomes is underpinned by cross cutting mainstreaming of Climate adaptation/mitigation and gender integration in the implementation of activities

The Catchment to Tap (C2T) project aims to exemplify improved IWRM methodologies for more sustainable water management across Kenya.