The Sasumua Stakeholders' Workshop on 26th February 2009. PHOTO/M. Makela

Representatives of local communities, water users and relevant government departments have endorsed the results of PRESA’s research at the Sasumua catchment area.

When asked to respond to specific issues of the research, most participants said the findings, related to water pollution, land tenure, and land use, were an accurate reflection of the situation in the catchment.

PRESA researchers presented the research findings at a stakeholder workshop held at the Njabini Agricultural Training Centre on 26^th February, 2009. Stakeholders engaged in candid and open discussion while raising continuous issues, listening to different perspectives, and showing willingness to work with other stakeholders for mutual benefit.

There were expressions of appreciation of the value of the research studies, especially from the Water Resource Management Authorities, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and the farmers’ forum.

PRESA is facilitating local communities, water users and relevant government departments to play a larger role in the management of the Sasumua catchment.

Research findings

ICRAF and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) are studying the effects of human activity on the watershed. The work includes participatory sampling of soil and water, mapping of hydrological sub-basins and mapping of land use patterns. Trends in settlement and land tenure over past decades are being analysed.

Water sampling carried out in 2008 shows that most of the physical and chemical parameters for water quality are within the acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). There is, however, cause for concern: water sourced from the forested sub-basins (Chania and Kiburu) is generally of higher quality than water coming from the Sasumua sub-basin which contains farms and settlements, indicating that human activities were degrading the water quality.

Recommendations for watershed management

There is need to target interventions to those areas identified as sources of pollution, including the little Sasumua, the areas around the reservoir, and the new parts of Njabini town. Open grazing and tree harvesting in riverine areas and the forest reserve need to be more strictly controlled.

Water abstraction for multiple uses – including horticulture and planting of fast-growing eucalyptus – is a major concern in the catchment with many stakeholders concerned that water supplies are drying as a result of over-abstraction. Agricultural extension services should provide greater guidance to farmers in appropriate techniques for soil and water resource management.

PRESA will explore policy options to raise environmental awareness and spur discussion on new regulations and technologies for pollution control and supply of clean water.

Map of Sasumua

The reservoir is marked by a yellow pin.

View Sasumua water catchment area in a larger map