Enock Ole Kiminta is the CEO of the Kenya National Water Resources Users’ Association (KeNAWRUA) who was kind enough to provide a presentation to the IEEE Planet Positive 2030 Communities Program Committee (of which he is a member) on April 26, 2024.

You can see the PPT from his presentation, Kenya’s Water Resources Status here.

Speaking on a personal level (this is John) all the members of the Committee were amazed with what Enock and members of KeNAWRUA have been able to do in Kenya.  Our hope and goal with the work of Planet Positive 2030 in conjunction with his insights and wisdom is to try and help Enock, Kenya, and the other Communities like Miami this program was designed to support.

Thanks to Enock for answering our questions below.

Can you please provide a brief bio and background on yourself and KeNAWRUA? 

I hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, specialized in Freshwater resources management. In addition, I am a proficient Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (ME&L) professional with over 12 years of experience working in the water resources sector and with Water Resources Users Associations.  Currently I serve as the Volunteer Executive Officer for the Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users Associations (KeNAWRUA). KeNAWRUA is a premium national umbrella body of 756 Water Resources Users Associations working in the 6 basin areas in Kenya. Our Key mandate is to advocate for sustainable management of Kenya’s water resources through promoting best practices in WRM, policy influence, and inclusivity in water governance to ensure the indigenous people, youth, women and persons enabled differently have their rights and representation cared for.

How has being a part of the Planet Positive 2030 Communities Committee has been helpful to you?  

Being a part of the Planet Positive 2030 Communities Committee has been incredibly helpful in providing me with a platform to collaborate with like-minded individuals, share knowledge and expertise, and drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. Omdena AI (Committee member Kunal Thakur works for Omdena) for example, are supporting us to develop a mobile app to electronically enter and transfer water quality monitoring data to a central server for storage,  management and analysis for decision making and identify intervention to conserve our freshwater sources.

As in our work (Planet Positive 2030), the year 2030 is significant for Kenya in terms of water availability and need.  Can you elaborate on this? 

The year 2030 is significant for Kenya in terms of water availability and need as it marks the deadline for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) which aims to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. Kenya is currently facing a water crisis, with only 55% of the population having access to improved water sources, and the demand for water is expected to increase by 40% by 2030 due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change. By 2030, Kenya will need to have  effective solutions in place to ensure that every citizen has access to sufficient, clean, and reliable water supply, making it a critical year for the country to invest in water infrastructure, conservation, and management practices to meet its growing water needs.

What are the “four water challenges” you mention in your presentation?  Are people surprised or confused when you say that “too much water” and “too little water” are both issues you / Kenya faces? 

The 4 main water challenges/issues in Kenya are 1) Too Much Water, 2) Too little water, 3) Mismanaged water and 4) Contaminated water.  Yes, people are normally shocked when I mention these challenges because they confirm what is always the naked truth and if we could tackle the challenges collectively then Kenya will be a water secure nation. I always tell  every congregation I have an opportunity to speak to that; “if we don’t get WATER right, then everything everywhere falls apart”.

Can you speak to the WRA and Water Sector Reforms you outlined in your presentation?  

My dedication to staying ahead of the curve and fostering positive relationships with policymakers has been key to my success in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding water issues.

My commitment to advocating for the protection and conservation of freshwater sources stems from a deep-rooted belief in the importance of safeguarding this vital natural resource for current and future generations. To amplify water issues and drive positive change, I utilize a multi-faceted approach that encompasses various strategies.

Through engaging storytelling and persuasive communication, I effectively raise awareness about the challenges facing freshwater sources and educate stakeholders on the urgent need for sustainable water management practices. I leverage my expertise and knowledge of water issues to develop innovative solutions and propose policy recommendations that promote efficient water use, pollution prevention, and ecosystem restoration.

By collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations, I build partnerships and coalitions aimed at advancing water conservation efforts and driving meaningful change at local, national, and global levels. Moreover, I actively seek opportunities to participate in public forums, conferences, and community events to share my insights and experiences regarding water sustainability.

By fostering dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, I catalyze collective action and inspire others to join the movement towards building back better in sustainable water resources management.

Your work covers six basin areas in Kenya and you have a number of representatives helping protect these basins.  How did you attract all these volunteers and workers?  How will your / their work assist in the water issues Kenya is facing?  

Here are some strategies I use to attract individuals, government agencies, organizations and even politicians (MPs, Senators and County Governors) to support my cause and address water issues in Kenya:

Raise Awareness & Sensitization: Start by raising awareness about the importance of water resources and the challenges Kenya is facing. I use various communication channels such as social media, community events, workshops, and educational campaigns to highlight the significance of water conservation and the role individuals can play in making a positive impact.

Offer Training and Capacity Building: I organize training sessions, workshops, and skill-building programs to empower community volunteers, and the youth with the knowledge and tools needed to contribute effectively to water conservation efforts. By providing training opportunities, I can engage individuals who are passionate about the cause but may lack expertise in the field.

Create Volunteer Opportunities: Develop diverse volunteering opportunities that cater to different interests, skills, and time commitments.  Whether it’s organizing clean-up events, journey of water campaigns, participating in water quality and quantity monitoring, conducting awareness campaigns, or assisting in policy advocacy, offering a range of volunteer roles helps me attract a broader pool of participants.

Collaborate with public primary and secondary Schools and Universities: Partner with educational institutions to engage students and young professionals in water conservation initiatives. By collaborating with schools and universities, I can tap into the enthusiasm and energy of youth while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among the next generation.

Please elaborate on the slides 21 and 22 of your presentation that provide actionable ways you have helped water issues in Kenya that others could emulate, and your results to date. 

Over the years, KeNAWRUA has been actively engaged in shaping policy formulation and review processes, enabling us to foster sustainable water resource management. By leveraging our expertise in freshwater activities such as water quality monitoring, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and development of watershed management plans, we have successfully influenced decision-making at various levels.

Our collaborations with local communities, government agencies, and stakeholders have resulted in the implementation of innovative approaches to preserve our precious resources while promoting economic growth. In particular, water quality monitoring initiatives have been instrumental in identifying key issues affecting freshwater ecosystems and informing relevant policy changes. By providing timely data and expert analysis, we have helped authorities prioritize their conservation efforts effectively. Furthermore, the implementation of PES schemes has not only incentivized landowners to adopt sustainable practices but also contributed significantly to the preservation of biodiversity in our watersheds.

The development and adoption of comprehensive watershed management plans have been another critical area where we have made a tangible impact. Through multi-stakeholder consultations, we have ensured that these plans reflect diverse perspectives while addressing the complex challenges associated with water resource management. As a result, our efforts to influence policy formulation and review processes have borne fruit in the form of more sustainable and effective freshwater activities across the region.

Please let us / readers know how they could help you / your efforts asap. 

Join me in my mission to safeguard freshwater resources for the well-being of people and nature! Your support can make a real difference in ensuring access to clean water for communities and preserving the biodiversity of our ecosystems. By donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness, you can help us protect and restore our precious water sources, creating a sustainable future where both people and nature can thrive. Together, we can make a positive impact on freshwater conservation and protection. Join us today!

How did you come up with the idea for the final three slides for your presentation in terms of the humor you use and how have they helped your work?

These particular statements on freshwater sources help me to trigger attention from stakeholders, duty bearers, and policy makers on the need to invest in water catchments conservation and protection not just for the water that comes out of the tap, but like I always tell my people, water doesn’t come from the tap but from a catchment.  Therefore need for more robust attentions to catchment conservation. We need to take care of the goose (catchment) that lays the golden egg (Water).