E974

PROJECT REPORT FOR THE WESTERN KENYA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECT (WKIEMP)

(Draft Environmental Assessment)

Proponent

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)

P.O. Box 57811, 00200, City Square

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel. 254-(0)20-583301/20

Fax: 254-(0)20-583344

EIA Consultants

1.Prof. David N. Mungai, Ph.D.

Department of Geography

University of Nairobi,

P.O. Box 30197

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel.: 254-2-334244; 0722 389 348

Fax: 254-2-336885

E-mail: ;

2.Ms. Jane B. Nyakang’o, M. Sc.

Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre

P.O. Box 1360-00200 City Square,

Nairobi, Kenya

Tel.254-20-604870/1; mob.: 0733 629824

Fax: 254-20-604871

E-mail: jnyakang’

February 2004

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report describes the 5 five year multi-focal Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project (WKIEMP) which is being executed by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI, the National Lead Institution) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). The World Bank implements the project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), under OP 12 Integrated Ecosystem Management.

The major aim of the project is to address the worsening poverty levels due to agricultural and environmental degradation prevalent in Western Kenya. It aims to scale upwards the successful technologies that have been developed in Western Kenya by KARI and ICRAF, and their collaborators. The project also has room for testing new and innovative ways of reversing land and environmental degradation. The key development goals of the project are to reverse land degradation and promote income-generating activities for rural farmers in Western Kenya, and to contribute to improved rural water quality. The global objectives of the project are to create opportunities to sequester carbon, conserve biodiversity and to improve the quality of international waters. The geographic focus of the project is the Nyando, Yala and Nzoia River basins. The project will initially focus on the Nyando River Basin, as it is the best characterized river basin in W. Kenya and, the most degraded. The project area will consist of twelve 1010 km blocks distributed across the three watersheds. Because of the wide geographic dispersion and large area coverage within the region, a phased approach in implementing project activities will be adopted.

To fulfill the above objectives, a number of activities have been proposed. The major project activities include: reforestation and afforestation, utilization of appropriate farming technologies, controlled grazing, introduction of improved fallows, improvement of soil fertility through agroforestry and chemical fertilizers, introduction of high value trees and fodder, promotion of livestock, flood control measures, various water management options, introduction of grazing enclosures, de-stocking, re-seeding of pasture and enterprise development.

The potential environmental impacts of these activities were assessed. Most of the predicted impacts were positive and could lead to improvements in environmental health, food security and a lower incidence of diseases. However, certain project activities were identified as being likely to lead to significant negative environmental impacts. It is probable that a massive afforestation/reforeststion of the landscape could negatively affect both surface and groundwater supplies if sufficient care is not taken regarding selection of tree species, their placement on the landscape and management. Use of chemical fertilizers could cumulatively make worse the eutrophication problems of the Lake Victoria ecosystem. The project could also lead to social disparities due to differences amongst communities or social groups in access to project resources and information. An environmental management plan (EMP) will be required to address the predicted negative impacts at the planning and implementation stages of the project.

The project is expected to cost US$ 5.125 million over the 5-year period.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study team wishes to thank the Director, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), for appointing us to carry out this project study. We also wish to acknowledge the logistical support provided by Dr. Jane Wamuongo, Assistant Director (Land & Water Management). Our thanks to Dr. Lou Verchot of ICRAF for providing the Project Proposal and other related documentation, which form the basis of this report. We thank Dr. Patrick Gicheru (Head, Kenya Soil Survey) for providing transport to Western Kenya, providing some project documents, organizing meetings with KARI/ICRAF staff in Kisumu and, together with Mr. Wilson Aore, for accompanying the team to the field. We want to appreciate the contributions of the ICRAF/KARI team in Kisumu and in particular Dr. Markus Walsh, Noordin Qureshi, Alex Awiti, Eva Gacheru, P. Ruigu and S. Mureithi for their valuable contributions regarding the WKIEM Project in general and some aspects of the proposed interventions.

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CDMClean Development Mechanism

EIAEnvironmental Impact Assessment

GEFGlobal Environment Facility

GHGGreenhouse Gases

ICRAFInternational Centre for Research in Agroforestry

ISRICInternational Soil Reference and Information Center

KARIKenya Agricultural Research Institute

KEFRIKenya Forestry Research Institute

MOARDMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development

NEMANational Environment Management Authority

NPANet Project Area

NGONon-Governmental Organization

WKIEMPWestern Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS4

ACRONYMSAND ABBREVIATIONS5

TABLE OF CONTENTS6

1.0INTRODUCTION7

2.0DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT9

2.1Location of the project9

2.2Background information9

2.3Nyando Basin10

2.3.1Socio-Economic Information10

2.3.2Biophysical information12

3.0PROJECT ACTIVITIES17

4.0PROJECT DESIGN18

5.0POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

AND MITIGATION MEASURES20

REFERENCES24

APPENDIX 126

1. INTRODUCTION

The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI, who are the national lead institution) and the World Agro-Forestry Centre (ICRAF), as the lead agencies in partnership with specific NGOs, local community organizations, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) are in the process of implementing the Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project (WKIEMP). The principal donor for the project is the Global Environment Facility (GEF) while the World Bank is the Implementing Agency. KARI and ICRAF are the executing agencies. The five-year multi-focal project aims to address the worsening poverty levels due to agricultural and environmental degradation prevalent in Western Kenya. In addition to solving these local problems, better farming practices including agro-forestry are expected to also provide global environmental benefits. The key development goals of the project are to reverse land degradation and promote income-generating activities for rural farmers in Western Kenya, and to contribute to improving rural water quality. The global objectives of the project relate to creating opportunities to sequester carbon, conservation of biodiversity and quality of international waters. The specific objectives are to:

  • Promote agro-forestry and other improved land management activities in upland areas to rehabilitate degraded lands, reduce soil erosion and sediment control, and reduce nutrient delivery to Lake Victoria from agricultural activities;
  • Improve on-farm and off-farm biodiversity through agro-biodiversity and decreased pressure on “natural habitats” (remnant forests, riparian areas, wetlands, etc.);
  • Reduce rural poverty and improve food security by introducing new land management technologies to increase yields, and new and improved value-added cropping systems.
  • Improve capacity for local communities, farmer associations, national, and international institutions to identify opportunities, and formulate and implement policies in support of integrated ecosystem management (IEM) approaches, combining local and global benefits;
  • Examine the synergy between sustainable agricultural development and global environmental benefits such as mitigation of green house gases (GHG) accumulation in the atmosphere, forestry, biodiversity loss, and degradation of international waters;
  • Enhance potential to sequester additional above- and below-ground carbon in the project area;

Section 58 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999 requires that all policies, plans, programmes and projects related to the undertakings specified in the Second Schedule to the Act be subjected to environmental impact assessment (EIA). The section also requires project proponents to obtain an EIA License from the National Environment Authority (NEMA) before the implementation of a project. The Act as well as the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations 2003, Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 56 of 13th June 2003, requires that the project proponent submit a Project Report to the National Environment Management Authority. The World Bank also requires an environmental assessment in accordance with its relevant safeguard policies (particularly OP/BP GP 4.01 Environmental Assessment; OP 4.04 Natural Habitats; OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Settlement and OP 7.50 International Waters.

The purpose of this study therefore was to assess the potential environmental and social impacts of the various activities associated with the implementation of the Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project (WKIEMP) objectives outlined above. The assessment was carried out taking into account both the World Bank’s safeguard policies and Kenya’s environmental policy and laws. The outcome of the assessment was this Project Report, which was prepared on behalf of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

2.1 Location of the project

The geographic focus of the project is the Kenyan portion of the Lake Victoria Watershed. The project is located in Western Kenya and covers the Nyando, Yala and Nzoia river basins (see Appendix 1 - Figs. 1-3).

2.2 Background information

The Lake Victoria basin covers 184,400 km2 of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, and is home to an estimated 25 million people with an average population density of 135 persons/ km2. The Lake Basin is comprised of 11 major river basins – Nzoia, Yala, Nyando, Sondu Miriu, Gucha, Mara, Gurumeti, Mbalageti, Duma, Simiyu, Magoga, Isonga, and Kagera - and a large lake edge area that drains directly into the lake. Two of these river basins, the Kagera and Mara - span national boundaries (ICRAF and MOARD 2002). The Lake Victoria covers a surface area of 68,000 km2 and adding its catchment (covering 184,400 km2) together gives an area of 252,400 square kilometers.

The Kenyan portion of the Lake Victoria basin covers about 42,000 km2 and is home to about 7.9 million people. The average population density is about 190-persons/ km2. Seven major rivers - Nzoia, Yala, Nyando, Sondu-Miriu, Gucha and Mara, drain this area. The first three river basins will be involved in the Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project. The Nyando River, which drains parts of Nandi, Kericho and Nyando districts, has a catchment area of about 3,600 km 2. The Yala on the other hand drains an area of approximately 3,400 km2 while the Nzioa drains an area of about 13,000 km2.

The lake Victoria drainage area includes lands with high agricultural potential and high rates of environmental deterioration. The Nyando, Yala and Nzoia river basins have all experienced high rates of deforestation and loss of topsoil (ISRIC, 1997).

Changes in the lake basin are linked to a number of interrelated problems such as rapid population growth, poverty, land degradation, declining agricultural productivity and deteriorating water quality, which must be addressed concurrently to achieve sustainable development.

The Nyando River basin has been intensively studied by the World Agroforestry Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and their associates and other organizations, in the last five years, compared to the other two watersheds. As a result, there is more scientific information for this basin and work on the implementation of the WKIEMP is more advanced for Nyando. In this report therefore, Nyando River basin is described in more detail than the other two watersheds.

2.3 Nyando Basin

2.3.1 Socio-Economic Information

(a) Population

The Nyando river basin occupies 3,600 square kilometres and according to the 1999 census data, the population in the basin was 746,515. The average population density is 214 persons km-2, with some areas of the basin having over 1,200 people/km-2. Administratively, the basin is divided into districts: Nyando, Nandi, Kericho, Buret, Bomet and Uasin Gishu. Nyando District is in Nyanza Province while the rest are in Rift Valley Province. None of the administrative districts lies wholly within the Nyando Basin.

(b) Poverty Levels

The Lake Basin supports one of the densest and poorest rural populations in the world. Western Kenya as a whole is characterized by comparatively lower household incomes from the farm. In addition, Western Kenya is also characterized by high levels of disease and destitution. Recent studies in the area indicate a high prevalence of malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and water-associated diseases.

Studies done in the Nyando basin (Brent, 2004) reveal linkages between:

  • Poverty and land investments. Poor households invest very little in agricultural inputs. Additionally, availability of information is an important determinant of investments in soil and water conservation.
  • Agriculture, ill-health, and poverty.
  • Irrigation and land degradation. The conversion of 6500 ha of wetlands to irrigation in the Nyando basin since 1980 has reduced the filtering effects of wetlands thereby contributing to the major sediment plume in Winam Gulf and eutrophication of Lake Victoria. The high sediment load in Nyando increases maintenance costs of irrigation schemes (200 m3 of sediment removed per week from Gem-Rae in 1997)
  • Community water management and farm investments: Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) results for Nyando District Focal Areas indicate priority problems to be: Lack of water, lack of tools, soil erosion, poor roads, lack of technical advice; and low soil fertility.

(c) Land use

The watershed can roughly be divided into 5 different land use zones. Small-scale subsistence maize and sorghum characterize the lower part of the watershed, the lake plain between 1100- 1300 m. Large-scale sugar plantations and smaller sugar schemes are located between 1300 m and 1700 m. Gradually, the sugar plantations are replaced by coffee in a zone ranging between 1600 m – 2000 m. Small-scale tea farmers and large tea estates are located between 1900 m – 2100 m. Relatively large-scale maize and horticulture (potatoes, cabbages, etc.) farming characterize the areas above 2100 metres.

Soil degradation and soil nutrient mining characterize many land-use types. The most degraded parts of the landscape, both in terms of nutrient deficiencies and soil physical degradation, are areas currently used for open grazing and extraction of fuel wood. Areas currently used for subsistence agriculture are characterized by both types of degradation, but with lower prevalence rates than in grazing areas. In part, the lower prevalence may be due to abandonment of severely degraded cropland. Proximal causes of degradation on croplands include low investments in physical or biological methods of soil conservation and low use of external sources of mineral fertilizers.

The main livelihood strategy in Nyando basin is farming with 48% of the households directly depending on agriculture. The major subsistence crops grown include maize (52.5%) sorghum (42.3%) beans (13.1%), groundnuts (8.8%), green grams (1.45%) and cowpeas (2.9%). The yields are very low but the area has potential for improvement. Production, particularly of cash crops like sugar cane and cotton, has been on the decline owing to lack of markets, irregular payments, poor road infrastructure and low soil fertility. Other crop production problems in the basin include drought, erratic rainfall and striga weed.

Most of the watershed is continuously cropped except in the two remaining forest areas of Tinderet and Mau, which are getting heavily deforested.

(e) Ethnic Composition

The main ethnic groups in Nyando basin are the Luo, Kipsigis and Nandi who inhabit Nyando, Kericho and Nandi districts respectively. Local cultural norms and groupings are crucial to the success of externally assisted development and conservation initiatives.

2.3.2

Biophysical Information

(a)Hydrology

The Nyando River has four major tributaries, namely; the Ainabngetuny and Mbogo, which originate from Nandi District, and the Nyando and Awach which originate from Kericho district. The river originates from areas of high rainfall (Kericho and Nandi districts). It therefore has high stream discharge and floods are experienced in the lower course of the river, covering approximately 50% of Nyando district and parts of Kisumu District. The flooding is an annual phenomenon, which has adverse effects on the community.

(b)Climatic Variability

A number of paleoclimatic studies have shown that long-term variability in the basin is periodic and tends to track events occurring over time periods that are characteristic of cyclic changes in orbital insolation and forcing (e.g. Kroll-Milankovitich cycles), and global ocean and atmospheric circulation (e.g. El Nino/La Nina cycles). Some of these studies (e.g. Stager et al., 1996) suggest that the post-1960 ecological shift in Lake Victoria may have had climate driven analogues over the last 10,000 years. This implies that although human impacts on the lake basin environment may now eclipse events taking place, climate change could be reinforcing environmental degradation in the lake basin.

The more recent historical records show the occurrence of an extraordinarily pluvial period from 1961-1964 in the eastern portion of the lake basin. During this time, the water level of Lake Victoria rose by approximately 2.5 meters, and discharges from rivers Nyando and Sondu Miriu, for example, were 10-20 times higher than their respective 35-year decadal averages. For the Nyando River Basin, interviews with local people suggest that many of the major soil erosion problems either started or were dramatically accelerated in their development during the early 1960’s. It is speculated that rapid land use changes, deforestation, infrastructure development and over-grazing structurally altered the landscape during the first half of the 20th century. Prevailing conditions during the early 1960’s may then have been such that the basin was essentially primed for massive erosion/sedimentation during a period of extraordinarily heavy rainfall in the region. The Nyando basin is particularly vulnerable to the return of large rainfall events, such as occurred in the early 60’s. The return of such an event could result in unprecedented mass soil movement from the lake plain into the lake.

(c)Eutrophication

The water quality of Lake Victoria is affected by sedimentation and nutrient run-off, urban and industrial point source pollution and biomass burning. The Nyando River and its associated drainage network is the major source of sediment and phosphorus flow into the lake. Phosphorus levels have increased 2-3 times over the last 40-50 years (Hecky, 1993, 2000). Measurements of phosphorus (the main nutrient causing lake eutrophication) in River Sondu indicated that the concentrations were lower than those in the lake but concentrations in the River Nyando were five times higher than those measured in Sondu river. Algal concentrations are three to five times higher now than during the 1960’s, and much of the lake bottom currently experiences periods of prolonged anoxia that were uncommon 40 years ago (Johnson et al. 2000). Ambient conditions in Lake Victoria now favor the dominance of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria and the spread of the aquatic weeds such as the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes).