Experiences from Community Participation in Managing Nyando Wetland. | Community Based Approach to the Management of Nyando Wetland, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya.

The greatest challenge in the conservation and management of wetland ecosystems in Kenya is the fact that most of them are found in unprotected areas and the lack of a national wetland policy. Community based approaches therefore become the most viable option. This chapter describes experiences gained in community based management of Nyando Wetland, an intervention initiated by two local NGOs (Kenya Disaster Concern and VIRED International) and the Nyando Wetland Community and funded by UNDP-Kenya. The principle of co-management of natural resources on which the intervention was based is outlined with some examples of other initiatives carried out by other institutions in Kenya. The objectives of this project are given with an emphasis on its relevance to Kenya’s Vision 2030, the MDG goals and UNDP, the funding agency. The overall objective however was the rehabilitation, restoration and conservation of the degraded Nyando Wetland. The chapter explores in greater detail the approaches used in achieving the project objectives. Activities were strategically planned on a Quaterly and Annual basis starting with community mobilization, awareness creation, capacity building to catalyze full participation of the local communities. The use of alternative livelihood activities is highlighted as an incentive to the local communities, research was to enable the project team to make informed decisions and the formation of a coalition with multiple partners. The chapter ends with approaches to ensure sustainability of the initiated activities. As a pioneering initiative, experiences gained are invaluable.

Nyando Wetland Utility Resource Optimization Project, Ref:- AKEN/05/427

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