Impacts of rainwater harvesting: a case study of rainwater harvesting for domestic, livestock, environmental and agricultural use in Kusa

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), made a reconnaissance tour around Lake Victoria in 1998 with representatives of the East African Community, Ministry of Agriculture (Kenya) and the Swedish Embassy in Kenya. When the idea of having some pilot activities on the ground was suggested, the Provincial Commissioner of Nyanza pointed out Kusa Bay, which at the time was heavily affected by the water hyacinth menace. Besides that, one major problem the community faced was inadequate supply of domestic water, resulting in prevalence of diseases, malnutrition and poverty. Lake Victoria basin supports the most densely populated and poorest communities in East Africa . Following this tour, Sida requested its, Regional Land Management Unit, RELMA, to start up within its mandate, some planning and demonstrations in Kusa. RELMA therefore started the rainwater harvesting initiative to encourage the local community take charge of its own affairs. Within the mandate of RELMA are the activities of the Southern and Eastern Africa Rainwater Network, SearNet. This is a regional body that networks rainwater-harvesting initiatives in region. Part of the mandate of SearNet includes documentation and dissemination of rainwater harvesting initiatives in the region. To achieve this, SearNet is working on the production of a regional manual and handbook on rainwater harvesting. The Kusa rainwater initiative provides a good case study to document not only as an input to the manual and handbook but also to generate and provide information to other stakeholders and partners in the rainwater harvesting fraternity

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