Isiolo County Water Strategy 2023-2035.

This Isiolo County Water Strategy addresses several key issues, including water scarcity, limited access to clean water, inadequate water infrastructure, and unsustainable water management practices, which have contributed to food insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation, thus affecting the well-being and livelihoods of the local population and wildlife. The Strategy aims at achieving the following objectives: increasing access to clean and safe water for people of all genders, livestock, and wildlife; promoting sustainable water management practices to ensure water security for future generations; enhancing water infrastructure and management systems to increase water productivity and efficiency; fostering collaboration between stakeholders, including neighbouring counties and other water users, so as to achieve a shared vision for sustainable water management; strengthening the governance, management, and capacity of institutions and all water users; reducing the risks of climate change and managing floods and droughts; enhancing financial sustainability for water and sanitation development. The Strategy pursues the following vision: achieving sustainable, equitable and secure water and sanitation for all for improved health, and wealth creation in Isiolo County. The mission of the Strategy provides for the realisation of the sustainable development goals, the Kenya’s Constitution, and the County development plans provision on right to safe and clean water for all, through responsive institutions within a regime of well-defined standards.
The Strategy recognises the importance of nature-based solutions in enhancing water security and resilience, including: restoration and protection of natural water storage areas, wetlands and catchment areas; development of artificial recharge systems that mimic biological processes in wetlands, forests, and grasslands; promotion of agroforestry and conservation agriculture; biodiversity conservation; enhancement of soil health and water retention. Therefore, the Strategy focuses on the following outcomes: integrated approach that recognises the interdependence of water, food, energy, and ecosystems; a gender-sensitive participatory process that involves all stakeholders, including the local community, NGOs, government agencies, and private sector actors; sustainable water management practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable, ensuring long-term water security; ensuring accountability and transparency in the implementation of the strategy. The Strategy identifies these water sector challenges within the County: scarcity of potable water; drought, unpredictable rainfall and floods, and disaster management; spread of vectors and waterborne diseases; environmental degradation.