Building Inclusive Management for Sustainable Rural Water Access

In a significant step towards improving rural water systems, Strathmore University and Siaya County jointly launched the “Ecological Sustainability of Rural Water Systems (EcoRural) Project: Developing Inclusive Management Capacities to Sustain Access to Safe Drinking Water in Rural Communities during an inception meeting that took place from 28^th to 31^st October 2024. This project aims to address water sustainability issues in rural Kenya by building robust, community-centered management structures that ensure long-term access to safe drinking water.

The inception meeting, attended by key partners including IHE Delft (Netherlands), SIBOWASCO, SICOWAP, African Water Watch Limited, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, DAME-DAME Development, and Kumasi Technical University in Ghana, served to outline project objectives and establish collaborative frameworks. Held over two stages—initially at Strathmore University, followed by on-site engagements in Siaya County—the meeting defined the Eco Rural project’s goals, contextualized its importance, and mapped roles for effective execution. Key discussions centered around communication, transparency, and ethical collaboration.

The field visit provided participants with a firsthand understanding of the community-driven water systems and their associated challenges. At the Sirembe Community Water and Sanitation Project (SICOWAP), the team observed the transformative impact of a 48-meter borehole that supplies clean water to 9,316 residents, including 4,761 in Sirembe. The project has enhanced local productivity and public health but still faces significant obstacles, such as insufficient water storage capacity, solar power limitations, inadequate data management infrastructure, and a pressing need for staff training.

At Siaya-Bondo Water and Sanitation Company (SIBOWASCO), the EcoRural team reviewed water treatment and sewage management practices. Here, the Managing Director highlighted the pressing need for an integrated approach that addresses both infrastructure and governance. To support this goal, six students from Strathmore University and IHE Delft will join research efforts aimed at advancing understanding and solution-finding for Siaya’s water management issues.

Several actionable insights emerged from the inception meeting, which will guide the project’s implementation:

1. Enhanced stakeholder communication. Regular updates to local leaders and MCAs will build trust and increase project visibility.
2. Regular team meetings. The Kenyan team agreed to hold monthly or bi-monthly check-ins, paralleling the Ghana team’s daily sessions.
3. Community feedback surveys. Gender-specific satisfaction surveys will gather data on user needs, with a particular focus on women’s experiences with water access.
4. Real-time communication. A dedicated WhatsApp group will streamline communication and foster team cohesion.
5. Financial transparency. Open financial reporting will help establish credibility and enable smoother workflow.
6. Policy advocacy. A policy brief will be presented to the county government to guide future water policy, with an emphasis on sustainable, community-driven water resource management.

Siaya County’s Minister of Water emphasized the importance of projects that bridge policy with on-the-ground realities, particularly for rural areas where infrastructure and governance often lag. She further noted this project’s approach could serve as a model for other counties, highlighting Siaya’s efforts as evidence that “It is possible, and it is doable.”

As the project advances, its focus on collaboration, strategic data collection, and community engagement is poised to create sustainable, inclusive water management systems in Kenya and beyond. By empowering communities and fostering cross-institutional partnerships, this project aims to make a lasting impact on rural water access and set a replicable standard for ecological sustainability in resource management.

Article by Winnie Omamo