SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE LONG TERM SUSTENANCE OF URBAN RIVERS REHABILITATION PROJECTS: A CASE OF THE NAIROBI RIVERS SYSTEM By Erick F. N. Akotsi

Background Water pollution problem at global level – Over 90% of sewage in developing countries is discharged into water bodies without treatment (UNEP 1997) – 50% of the population in developing countries are exposed to polluted water sources. (UN WWAP 2003) Water pollution problem in Kenya – Sustainable access to safe drinking water in settlements of the urban poor, where half of the urban population lives is as low as 20% (KIHBS 2005/2006) – Waterborne diseases account for approximately 70% – 80% of health issues in Kenya (Kenya Aid Program) Pollution problem in urban rivers is on the increase and needs to be controlled In 2008 GoK started initiatives to rehabilitate rivers

Problem Statement Kenya is classified as a chronically water scarce country with just about 650m 3 per capita per year of renewable fresh water (WWAP 2006). The ecosystems supporting the limited water resources face immense threat from pollution. Since 2008 the GoK has invested heavily in rivers restoration the projects which still face sustainability challenges. The study seeks to investigate “community participation” as a possible approach to enhance sustenance of these projects.

Literature Review Community Participation is regarded as a key component of prudent environmental management. – Rio declaration on environment and development 1992 (principle 10) – The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (article 69(1)d and 69(2). – EMCA 1999 Section 3 subsections 3 and 5(a) – The Water Act 2002 Articles 15 & 16 – Kenya Forest Act 2005

Literature Review According to wohl et al 2005 – River restoration is a social process that invokes science to varying degree – Restoration becomes a viable option when the ecological conditions currently perceived by stakeholders no longer meet their expectations Ofuoku 2011, demonstrates a positive relationship between participation and sustainability of water projects.

Objectives Main Objective To generate information that would support development of policies and mechanisms for effective implementation of river restoration initiatives and promote good environmental governance. Specific Objectives 1.To determine the perception of the communities towards NRBP activities 2.To establish factors affecting the perceptions of the community. 3.Develop an appropriate model of community engagement

Research Questions 1.What are the perceptions of the community towards the NRBP project? 2.What factors affect the perception of the community towards the NRBP project? 3.How does the perception of the community affect their behavior towards the NRBP Project? 4.What Mechanisms would be appropriate for engaging communities to ensure project sustainability?

Research Methods Study will be carried out in Nairobi county A Satellite image will interpreted in a GIS environment to delineate and stratify the various communities for sampling Data collection will be done through administration of questionnaires. Data will be statistically analyzed and spatially modeled by use of statistical and GIS software.

Plan of Activities Time linePeriod (2014 )Period (2015) ActivityJulJul AugAug SepSep OctOct NovNov DecDec JanJan FebFeb MarMar AprApr MayMay JunJun JulJul AugAug SepSep Presentation of Thesis proposal Literature Review Finalization & approval of proposal Develop and test questionnaires Fieldwork and data capture Data analysis and report writing Submission of research report Defense Submission of final Report

Budget RequirementsItemsQuantityUnit Cost (KSh.) Total Cost (KSh.) GeneralPrinting papers10 (rims)4002,000 Printing cartridge1 no.4,0002,000 Photocopy & bindinglump sum 10,000 Desktop P C1 no.50,000 Printer1 no.24,000 Data captureBase maps5 themes30,000150,000 Satellite Image1 Scene500,000 Fieldwork250 (m-days) ,000 Data AnalysisGIS / Statistical20 (m-days)300060,000 Report writingCompiling & editing20 (m-days)200040,000 LogisticsTransport costsLump sum 40,000 5% contingence56400 Total Budget1,184,400