This document summarizes a project implemented in Nyando River Basin in Kenya by VIRED International and CARE Kenya to address flooding issues. The project organized flood control teams, identified vulnerable areas, and implemented both structural measures like drainage canals and non-structural measures like agricultural practices. This reduced displacements by 25% and allowed reclamation of flood plains for agriculture. New crops were successfully grown, demonstrating the project's achievement of its goals. Challenges included political interference and disputes, while successes included community capacity building and linking farmers to markets.

1. David Dulo
VIRED International
Training on climate change adaptation and
mitigation

2. Introduction
Description
Location Map
The project is located within
Nyando and Nyakach
Districts of Kisumu County
The implementing agency is
Victoria Institute for
Research on Environment
and Development (VIRED)
International.
Collaborating agency is
CARE Kenya
Location Map of the Flood
prone areas in the Nyando
River Basin
ICCA
Location Map of the Flood prone areas in the Nyando River Basin

3. Photos of displaced residents in
a slum area
Submerged hut in western
Kenya

4. Background problem
What was the problem Impacts of the problem
Nyando River Basin is known
for two main issues as far as
climate change is concerned:-
namely, drought and flooding.
The rampant deforestation in
the middle and upper part of
the catchment has led to
changes to the weather pattern
and lack of vegetative cover and
poor agricultural practices have
led to heavy soil erosion.
Heavy Soil erosion
overtopping of the River
Nyando at the lower basin
resulting heavy flooding.
Low crop yields due to
changes in climate and
erosion.
Lack of water for domestic
and livestock use during dry
spell

5. Road destroyed by floods
Bridge washed away by
floods

6. Initiation and Financing
How was it started? How was it funded?
In September 2004, VIRED
in collaboration with CARE
Kenya initiated a Integrated
Flood Management Project;
seeking to reduce the effects
of flooding and reclamation
of the flood plains back to
agricultural use .
Resources both structural
and non-structural measures
was needed.
Donor funding (with
supplement from the Kenyan
Government)
USAID funded.

7. Project interventions
Priority issues addressed Targeted achievement
Organization of the community
members at location level in
flood control teams with their
officials in place.
Identification and prioritization
of the most hit areas needing
urgent intervention.
Establishing linkages with
relevant government
ministries/departments
Reduction of the effects of
displacement due to flooding
on households by 25% .
Reclamation of flooding
plains back into agricultural
use.
Improving agricultural
practices to boost
production.

8. Structural Measures
Drainage Canal Irrigation Canal

9. What was actual achievement?
Project Achievement Evidence of achievement
Reduction in displacement due
to flooding of households
Empowerment of community
on flood mitigation measures
(structural and non-structural).
Reclamation of flood plains
back to agricultural use
Introduction of new
horticultural crops into the
project area.
Reduced effects
(displacements and crop
destruction ) due to flooding.
Water retention ponds and
canals dug.
New crops (water melons,
butternut, sweet pepper,
Basmati rice,
tomatoes)harvested from the
reclaimed plains.

10. Lessons
Success Challenging
Capacity building of the
community members to
mitigated the effects of
flooding.
Bottom-top approach to
addressing environmental
challenges.
 Integration of
environmental challenges
into developmental programs
 The interference by the political leaders
as they try to take control of the flood
control committees through their
supporters.
 Rifts between the chiefs and the flood
committees with an aim to gain
influence.
 Lack of support from the Government
side in donating culverts and murram
for rehabilitated rural access roads.
 High turn up for work by the
community members against limited
chances available
 Boundary disputes when working
through homesteads or farms while
making canals

11. Water Retention Pond
Collaboration between
government officials and
Project team

12. Innovation / Originality
<<< describe any decision or
activity done outside the
norm that was critical for the
success or failure>
Intervention by the project to
save the rice crop during a
dispute with the water
provider on payment.
Linking the farmers with the
key market players
(Nakumatt Supermarket) to
sell their produce directly.

13. THE
END
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