CESPAD

Events

Cespad — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 09:51:30 +0000

From Charcoal Commanders to Water and Environment Champions

Cespad — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 08:32:14 +0000

The water sector in Pan Africa faces various challenges, particularly in overcoming gender-related issues. However, through stakeholder engagement and the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), positive changes can be achieved. This success story highlights the transformation of the Maasai Women Environment Conservation Champions (MWECC) in Narok, Kenya, who shifted from being charcoal burners to becoming advocates for water conservation and environmental sustainability.

In 2018, CESPAD conducted a training session for the Enkare Water Resource Users Association (WRUA) in Narok on Integrated Water Resources Management and governance. One participant, Hon Rahab Kenana, the secretary of Enkare WRUA, took the knowledge back to her community. She mobilized a group of women who were previously charcoal burners and educated them on the importance of IWRM and the need to cease tree cutting for charcoal production. This initiative led to a significant behavioral change among the women, who transformed into the Maasai Women Environment Conservation Champions (MWECC).

MWECC, now comprising over 2000 women, had previously relied on charcoal burning and tree cutting for their livelihoods. However, they were unaware of the adverse impact these practices had on water catchments. As they depleted the trees, water sources diminished, and the region started to face water scarcity. With support from CESPAD under the Water Governance Support Program (WGSP 2), MWECC underwent capacity-building initiatives focused on alternative livelihoods, such as beadwork, crocheting, and engaging in conservation work, including tree planting. CESPAD also facilitated partnerships between MWECC and other development organizations for funding water resource management activities.

As MWECC attended CESPAD’s trainings and received technical support, remarkable progress was observed. The women successfully abandoned their previous means of trade and fully embraced environmental conservation. They initiated reforestation efforts in previously deforested areas, serving as environmental ambassadors and raising awareness about the importance of conserving water catchments. MWECC established a resource center to enhance community members’ environmental conservation capacities, diversify livelihoods, and address youth-related issues like mental health and menstrual hygiene.

Maasai women receiving a learning tool for their resource centre from CESPAD and KEWASNET

Through CESPAD’s support, MWECC effectively utilized the documentary and learning tools provided to create awareness and sensitize the community about environmental degradation and alternative livelihood sources. The women successfully engaged various stakeholders, including Safaricom, who supported them with sewing machines for income generation through clothing production. Additionally, MWECC partnered with Ewaso Nyiro development partners on catchment conservation, resulting in the planting of 10,000 bamboo trees. They continue to educate communities on the importance of bamboo tree planting and supply seedlings during market days.

To document and share their inspiring journey, CESPAD produced a documentary showcasing best practices, lessons learned, and success stories in implementing the IWRM model in Makueni, Narok, and Laikipia Counties. The documentary emphasized the IWRM model’s definition, CESPAD’s role in its implementation, the stakeholders involved, and the innovative processes introduced during its development.

The story of MWECC exemplifies the power of stakeholder engagement and the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management in overcoming gender-related challenges in the water sector. Through capacity-building, alternative livelihood initiatives, and community partnerships, these once charcoal burners transformed into passionate water and environment champions. Their dedication to conservation, reforestation, and sustainable practices has not only safeguarded water resources but also inspired and empowered others to follow suit. MWECC’s success serves as an inspiring model for similar initiatives across Pan Africa and beyond.

Uniting Communities to Beat Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day 2023

Cespad — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:10:50 +0000

CESPAD is proud to share our remarkable journey in addressing plastic pollution during the momentous 50th anniversary of World Environment Day (WED)centered on beating plastic pollution. Globally, more than 430 million tones of plastic are produced annually, with a 19-23 million tonnes ending up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. The urgency to combat this crisis became the rallying call during WED celebrations held in Côte d’Ivoire, and our efforts were echoed locally in Nakuru County.

As advocates for sustainable change, our passionate CESPAD staff members engaged in various activities that resonated with different stakeholders. The Executive Director, Madam Ashah Shaaban, took the opportunity to educate school students on the vital role of planting and growing trees to ensure water and food security. By instilling these values early on, we are nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will actively contribute to combating plastic pollution.

In line with the WED spirit, our Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP) team played a significant role in driving change at the county level. Collaborating with government officials in Kisii County, with efforts to crack down on plastic pollution restored. The stakeholders took part in joint river clean up initiative at Nyakomisaro river. By taking a stand against plastic waste, the government put a notice to the local traders on the crackdown operation against the banned paper bags that had made a comeback into the country and were popular in the markets.

The Nyakomisaro WRUA chairman addressed the media on the need of preserving riparian lands and protecting rivers and springs. Through these efforts, we will promote a more profound sense of accountability and responsibility for protecting our water resources.

CESPAD representatives Judith and Delphina actively participated in the Nanyuki WED celebrations. Engaging in a town clean-up exercise and raising awareness about the importance of reusing and recycling plastic waste. By inspiring behavioral change within the community, we are driving tangible progress towards a more sustainable future.

At CESPAD, we firmly believe that collective action is the key to success. Together, we can beat plastic pollution and through education, advocacy, and community engagement we can protect our environment and combat plastic pollution.

Journey of Water: Uniting Communities, Nurturing Life in Kenya’s Ewaso Ngiro Basin

Cespad — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:05:51 +0000

In the heartland of Kenya’s enchanting Ewaso Ngiro River basin, a movement of epic proportions unfolds—the “Journey of Water.” Led by WWF Kenya in partnership with the esteemed CESPAD (Center for Social Planning and Administrative Development), this extraordinary campaign emerges to awaken the world to the untold wonders of water. It sets the stage for a vibrant dialogue among stakeholders, igniting a wave of change that will shape the future of this awe-inspiring region. With a resolute purpose, the Journey of Water seeks to establish a harmonious and sustainable balance in sharing precious water resources, safeguarding fragile ecosystems, and fostering peaceful coexistence among the communities whose very existence relies on this life-giving force.

Kenya has braved the relentless storm of a severe drought crisis, leaving in its wake the depletion of vital water sources and untold hardships for millions of people and their cherished livestock. As the nation’s thirst grows insatiable, projected to triple within the next two decades, the Ewaso Ngiro River basin—Kenya’s majestic lifeline—stands as the largest in the land. It nourishes and sustains approximately 4 million people across six counties. Yet, this arid and semi-arid region finds itself vulnerable to the relentless clutches of water scarcity.

In the breathtaking journey along the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River, participants witness an unfolding saga of challenges, painting a vivid tapestry of adversity. From over-abstraction and illegal water connections to misguided irrigation practices, pollution, soil erosion, encroachment, and simmering conflicts between upstream and downstream communities, the urgency of sustainable water management and conservation efforts becomes starkly apparent. To protect the basin’s delicate ecosystems and the livelihoods that rely upon its life-giving flow, immediate action is needed.

Within the realm of the campaign, a symphony of key terms resound with significance—water conservation, sustainable management, equitable distribution, scarcity, protection, security, restoration, engagement, participation, and climate resilience. These formidable concepts form the bedrock of CESPAD’s tireless efforts, ready to confront water-related challenges head-on and spearhead the sustainable use and protection of water resources in the Ewaso Ngiro River basin.

With each step taken along the Journey of Water, the observations and results reverberate with resounding clarity. They cast a radiant light upon the paramount importance of equitable water sharing, forging unwavering cooperation and collaboration between upstream and downstream users, and building unbreakable connections in the holistic management of water sources—from their origins to their majestic downstream flow. As the echoes of the campaign resound, CESPAD’s visionary recommendations echo through the corridors of change. Empowering communities to manage their water resources, nurturing a culture of water conservation, harnessing the power of water harvesting and storage during abundant rainy seasons, tapping into precious groundwater reserves through the sinking of boreholes, rehabilitating critical catchments, reviewing water allocation plans, promoting sustainable irrigation practices, engaging stakeholders at every turn, and garnering the unwavering support of the political class—these actions form the roadmap to a future that is resilient, flourishing, and sustainable.

Together, bound by the transformative power of the Journey of Water, communities rise above adversity, embracing the timeless wisdom of harmonious coexistence with nature’s most precious lifeline. The Ewaso Ngiro basin emerges as a beacon of hope—an oasis where thriving ecosystems flourish, and collective action triumphs. As the journey continues, Kenya’s heart beats stronger, and the spirit of water stewardship thrives within every community touched by this extraordinary campaign.

World Humanitarian Day – 19th August 2017

Cespad — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:50:17 +0000

As the world marks World Humanitarian day this Saturday, CESPAD wishes to celebrate you, our esteemed blood donors. By showing up regularly at our country-wide blood drives, you have helped save lives and alleviate human suffering to one person in every 10 minutes in Kenya who needs blood transfusion. That is the very essence of humanitarianism.
Contrary to the popularly-held belief, blood is not just needed for emergency situations. Hospitals for instance depend on donations daily for routine procedures and operations. They may need up to 10 donations for a heart bypass operation whereas a leukemia patient can use up to 700 donations over the course of their treatment.

Sounds like a lot of blood right? Does it feel as if your one pint donation every 3 months (male) or 4 months (females) was a mere drop in the ocean? Well, it is not. Just three teaspoons of your blood is adequate to save the life of a premature baby. That makes you a hero!

When you gave your blood donation it was processed and tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C before being availed for patient care. Out of the 10-12 pints of blood carried by your body, you only gave a maximum of one pint (450ml) effectively burning about 650 calories in the process.

Your blood might have saved more than one life as it was transfused either as whole blood or as a component of whole blood i.e. white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets or plasma depending on the recipients need. The needs vary and the components may be used as follows:

Plasma is used to treat burn victims and also helps to stop excessive bleeding
Red cells carry oxygen and are used in routine and emergency surgery. Also used for patients with anemia.
Platelets help stop bleeding after surgery and treat leukemia patients.

Blood is the most precious gift than anyone can give to another person. We encourage you to keep giving. #1Blood1Tribe1Kenya