Rain Water harvesting for MUS implementing Integrated Rain water harvesting technologies for MUS in Kitui The proposed action seeks to  increase access to and use of safe water for 500 people via run-off water and  roof water harvesting technologies. It shall further develop methods towards acceleration through the County government through Lobby for investment in the WASH sector as well as the development of a water harvesting learning centre. The proposed action shall be implemented in Kitui South Sub-County of Kitui. It lies under the MMF livelihood zone which as its name suggests, receive marginal rains. The region has a bimodal rainfall pattern with ranges between 400 –700 mm p.a and evaporation rates in excess of 2000mm p.a.
The main source of water for the community is scoop holes along the Wiitu stream in which SASOL has built a cascade of 10 sand dams. Water availability increased greatly following construction of the sand dams. However, there is need for digging and installation of off-take wells to at least avail safe water to the community. They have also led to increased ground recharge as evidenced by a greening effect along the stream. The vegetation along the cascade of sand dams has been observed to have become greener in the recent past in comparison before the sand dams were built. S.O 1: To increase access to and use of safe water for 500 people in Kitui South Sub-County.
1.1. Construction of sub-surface dam & fitting of an off-take well 
1.2. Guttering of classroom & construction of a 80M3 masonry tank 
1.3. Capacity strengthening of target groups 
S.O2: To develop a water harvesting best practice centre where environmental approaches, social inclusion and gender are incorporated.
2.1. Roofing and fitting of 1 classroom 
2.2. Guttering of classroom, open office and 2 green houses 
2.3. Installation of solar pumping system & fittings 
2.4. Recharge for WASH 
S.O3: To study and document on old sand dams the findings in regard to functionality and develop a case study on the geohydrological changes of Wiitu stream due to cascade of sand dams.
3.1. A research on old sand dams’ functionality produced 
3.2. Documentation of the geohydrological changes of Wiitu stream Improved access to WASH services through increased access to water for MUS and strengthening WASH sector linkages The proposed project involves water harvesting infrastructure that require minimal repairs. However, the action shall capacity build the target groups on operation and maintenance of water infrastructure and record keeping. The sub-surface dam/off-take well group shall charge user fee for maintenance of the facilities while the school management committee shall keep aside the money they have been spending on purchase of water for maintenance of the guttering system and pipings which need minimal repairs. The action shall work with existing institutions both government and other development agencies. The action shall not in any way distabilize the existing relationships within the actors. It shall involve the government agencies in a sustainable manner to ensure they participate in the projects even after handing over to the communities. The proposed action shall involve environmental restoration. The construction of sub-surface dam and shallow well ensures water infiltration leading to ground recharge which consequently leads to regreening in the surrounding areas. The action shall also incoporate retention ditches with vetiver grass planting for further water retention and infiltration. The proposed intervention focuses on simple technologies that can be replicated. However, the action shall capacity build the communities in O&M to ensure continued functionality after exit. These trainings shall involve local artisans within the community so that they would be engaged in repair works in case of breakdowns in future. During capacity building in O&M, group dynamics shall be a cross cutting issue to ensure community cohesion beyond the action. However, the action shall also work within the existing local community structures rather than introducing new structures which might not stand upon project exit. The action targets 390 people and 110 school children. These are vulnerable groups as the community is poor. The 390 people comprise of 60% women who lack safe water as they rely on scoop holes. The 110 school children are drawn from this community. The school is in its early stages of development having been started out of community initiatives. The day schooling aspect is particularly leading to drop out of girls due to pregnancy related issues. For instance since its inception in 2011, it has recorded 17 cases. Roof water harvesting at the school shall ensure adequate water hence the girls would become boarders thus significantly reducing pregnancy cases as they would spend most of the time in school. The community has constructed a classroom cum dormitory for girls. Water is a big challenge with the school only being able to afford ten 20lt jericans in a day at a cost of kes 25 per jerican. This water is only used for cooking and drinking. If the school could harvest water from the classrooms, it would be enough for cooking, drinking and maintaining the boarders. Financial sustainability : The proposed project involves water harvesting infrastructure that require minimal repairs. However, the action shall capacity build the target groups on operation and maintenance of water infrastructure and record keeping. The sub-surface dam/off-take well group shall charge user fee for maintenance of the facilities while the school management committee shall keep aside the money they have been spending on purchase of water for maintenance of the guttering system and pipings which need minimal repairs.
Institutional sustainability : The action shall work with existing institutions both government and other development agencies. The action shall not in any way distabilize the existing relationships within the actors. It shall involve the government agencies in a sustainable manner to ensure they participate in the projects even after handing over to the communities.
Environmental sustainability : The proposed action shall involve environmental restoration. The construction of sub-surface dam and shallow well ensures water infiltration leading to ground recharge which consequently leads to regreening in the surrounding areas. The action shall also incoporate retention ditches with vetiver grass planting for further water retention and infiltration.
Technical sustainability : The proposed intervention focuses on simple technologies that can be replicated. However, the action shall capacity build the communities in O&M to ensure continued functionality after exit. These trainings shall involve local artisans within the community so that they would be engaged in repair works in case of breakdowns in future.
Social sustainability : During capacity building in O&M, group dynamics shall be a cross cutting issue to ensure community cohesion beyond the action. However, the action shall also work within the existing local community structures rather than introducing new structures which might not stand upon project exit. A workable action plan for joint financing and implementation of WASH activities Bring together 200 participants from the government, development actors and the local communities Through study of old sand dams, evidence based long term sustainability of water harvesting techn In cooperation with RAIN, SASOL will develop a case study of Wiitu river INF The proposed action seeks to  increase access to and use of safe water for 500 people via run-off water and  roof water harvesting technologies. It shall further develop methods towards acceleration through the County government through Lobby for investment in the WASH sector as well as the development of a water harvesting learning centre where environmental approaches, social inclusion and gender are incorporated and research on the long term sustainability of water harvesting technologies. INT,IMP E WASH,3R,MUS