Created through an Act of Parliament in 1989, ENNDA began its journey anchored on a commitment to uplift lives through multi-sectoral initiatives aimed at unlocking the basin’s potential. Being an arid and semi-arid area, the region faces its fair share of challenges from cycles of drought, water scarcity, food insecurity and climate change impacts. However, the expanse is also endowed with vast land, mineral and water resources, presenting immense opportunities for socio-economic transformation if harnessed judiciously. ENNDA took on this responsibility for integrated planning and equitable development so that communities may reap the benefits of their habitat while preserving its integrity for posterity.
Overview
Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) Background
Plan
In accordance with section 8 of the Act, ENNDA plans for the development of the Area under its jurisdiction and mandate
Initiate and Coordinate
ENNDA initiates programme activities identified from such planning including conducting studies, and carry out such surveys
Operate and Implement
ENNDA implements such projects as may be necessary to exploit the available natural resources within the river basin
Sustainable Utilization of the Basin’s Natural Resources
At its core, ENNDA’s strategy revolves around sustainable utilization of the basin’s natural resources to set in motion a wave of growth covering various spheres from water provision, agricultural productivity, livestock development, to industrial growth. With a far-reaching mandate spanning over ten county jurisdictions, ENNDA synergizes development initiatives across sectors, aligning them to local needs and regional potential. Right from conducting feasibility studies to identify prospects for groundwater utilization, irrigation infrastructure, value-chain support, electricity generation and conservation projects, ENNDA underscores resource optimization for the betterment of basin communities.
With the Ewaso Ng’iro North River as the pulsating artery providing precious water, ENNDA has undertaken projects across its vast catchment area to nurture its flow. From building dams, boreholes and water pans that capture the rain to reforestation efforts that regulate the flow, ENNDA has led interventions to reinforce water security in an environment fraught by climate change. Supplementing this through farmer training programs, irrigation canal construction, crop diversification and other agriculture extension services have been crucial for long-term resilience. Meanwhile pastoralism remains at the heart of the local communities whose lives are intertwined with livestock rearing. By creating grazing fields, cattle dips, animal husbandry support and value addition enterprises, ENNDA has steadily made inroads into strengthening this rural livelihood while boosting food security.
Natural Resource Endowment within ENNDA Basin
The Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin stretches over a diverse variety of ecosystems from the high regions of Mount Kenya to the lower arid to semi-arid regions of land. Water provided by the Ewaso Ng’iro watershed is unevenly distributed between the higher and lower regions of the catchment. Each ecosystem delivers a unique contribution to the communities in the basin as they interact with one another to achieve a sustainable equilibrium. A large percentage of water is used by the upper regions of the catchment for large scale and small-scale irrigation of crops that support livelihoods of the dependent communities and export.
The drainage pattern in the Ewaso Ng’iro North River Basin is essentially determined by three major factors: (1) the north-eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya, (2), the Aberdare ranges, and (3) the north-east to the south-west watershed of the Nyambene range which as the source the Ewaso Ng’iro North
River.