Freshwater Ecosystem Functionality in Kajiado implementing Improved Water Access and Functional Freshwater Ecosystem in Kajiado Project seeks to enhance access to freshwater in urban Kajiado through rainwater harvesting and improving freshwater ecosystem functionality in rural Kajiado through construction, adaptation and promotion of rainwater harvesting infrastructures. 

The project applies to rural Enkorika to strengthen existing interventions and make Enkorika a model for learning 3R techniques. This project builds on the gains achieved and lessons learnt while implementing a programme titled “Enhanced Rainwater Harvesting for Multiple use through Low Cost Technologies” supported by RAIN through SASOL. NIA’s capacity to implement 3R solutions was enhanced through symposiums attended and also technical support received from SASOL, which was contracted by RAIN to build the capacities of local NGOs in Kajiado for construction of sand dams. NIA has since constructed 8 sand dams. RURAL
 Community meetings for sensitization and awareness creation on 3R benefits, selection of sites for demonstration of 3R infrastructures, and MUS Exchange visits for farmers to see successful MUS projects from sand dam water in Machakos County. 
 Identification and selection of beneficiaries of roof rainwater harvesting infrastructures i.e. innovative roof water harvesting from thatched roofs & underground cisterns (Bottled tank birkat type)  with 50% investment from beneficiaries.  
 Identification and selection of suitable soil and water conservation structures according to the landscape: set up demo farm with soil conservation and a youth group to maintain and benefit from the farm
 Sensitization of users on need to set and adhere to user rules for water use:  farmers/domestic/cattle cattle to take water away from the sand dam but collect from designated points. 
 Intercepting subsurface flow to boost water availability in well at Enkorika spring. 
 Protection of Impiron spring which has high yield and water for MUS already. 
 Excavation, construction and equipping of a new infiltration well in the upper sand dam at Enkorika river
 Operation and Maintenance and Sustainability training for management committee members. 
 Follow-up repairs of sand dams damaged by El Nino rains
 Construction of soil and water conservation infrastructures
URBAN
 Tree planting in 60m riparian area of Mukuru ridge with County Government of Kajiado donating tree seedlings and MTTI working on eyebrow terraces for the tree seedlings. Promotion of rainwater harvesting at households with 50% beneficiary contribution

Capacity building
 Joint proposal writing
 Engaging with the WASH alliance/Kewasnet for better understanding of WASH budgeting for Kajiado town
 Based on available external finance, capacity development though symposia and other training sessions. The overall objective of this project will be to contribute to increased access to and use of portable water amongst households in Kajiado County through 3R knowledge transfer, facilitation of 3R water infrastructure development for MUS and development of useful linkages for WASH financing. n/a Beneficiary contribution is an important aspect of this project. For households benefiting from RWH systems, there will be 50% beneficiary contribution. For the 3R demonstration site, targeted group will contribute labour and will inturn benefit from capacity building/exchange visit and farm inputs. 
There will also be a user pay system in place. Protected springs, 3R demonstration site and restored degraded land assuring a functioning freshwater ecosystem Simple RWH technology and 3R techniques imparted to the beneficiaries accompanied by operation and maintenance trainings to assure the continuity of running the project after donor withdrawal. Increased access to portable water will ensure the project empowers women rather than increase their burdens. Care will be taken to ensure the project does not interrupt the social fabric of the community. This proposal targets beneficiaries from a wide range of social spectrum with varying levels of inequity (gender and regional disparities). It targets beneficiaries both in urban and rural setups. The urban beneficiaries, the private sector and the county government are found in the project sites shared with the VIA water teaser. They are not homogenous in terms of wealth ranking as they are engaged in different activities from employment to business earning different levels of incomes. The rural beneficiaries are in Enkorika, a pastoral area marginalized in all aspects. The patriarchal nature of the Maasai makes women particularly vulnerable when droughts force them to walk long distances in search of water besides performing all household chores. Others targeted are those sharing the same landscapes and problems with the ones this project intends to solve hence learning and replicating the same in their localities.  To prepare for 2017, NIA will seek to engage with the county government for joint planning and collaboration to scale up through the public sector Financial sustainability : n/a
Institutional sustainability : Beneficiary contribution is an important aspect of this project. For households benefiting from RWH systems, there will be 50% beneficiary contribution. For the 3R demonstration site, targeted group will contribute labour and will inturn benefit from capacity building/exchange visit and farm inputs. 
There will also be a user pay system in place.
Environmental sustainability : Protected springs, 3R demonstration site and restored degraded land assuring a functioning freshwater ecosystem
Technical sustainability : Simple RWH technology and 3R techniques imparted to the beneficiaries accompanied by operation and maintenance trainings to assure the continuity of running the project after donor withdrawal.
Social sustainability : Increased access to portable water will ensure the project empowers women rather than increase their burdens. Care will be taken to ensure the project does not interrupt the social fabric of the community. 50 households supported for RWH (300 persons) 10 technicians trained on roof water harvesting 5 types of Soil and Water conservation infrastructures within Enkorika catchment Exchange visits for Enkorika WRUA, Water point management committees, Groups involved in utilizing 1000 additional persons accessing and using potable water INF Project seeks to enhance access to freshwater in urban Kajiado through rainwater harvesting and improving freshwater ecosystem functionality in rural Kajiado through construction, adaptation and promotion of rainwater harvesting infrastructures. 

The project applies to rural Enkorika to strengthen existing interventions and make Enkorika a model for learning 3R techniques. It also applies to urban Kajiado where we seek to recharge the Kajiado aquifer INT,IMP E,T WASH,3R,MUS