On Tuesday, the world celebrated the World Water Day in the wake of a deep water crisis across all nations.
This day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended. The UN General Assembly responded by designating March 22,1993 as the first World Water Day. This day has since been celebrated annually under different themes.
This year’s theme is “Water and Jobs.” Empirically, the theme attempts to qualify significance of water in supporting livelihoods. Water plays a vital role in creating employment in various sectors including; industries, irrigation, livestock, wildlife and inland fisheries.
Kenya heavily relies on agriculture for food production and wildlife for tourism. These two sectors require immense use of water. The informal sector which includes car washing dens, vendors who sell water, truck drivers transporting water, those who work for water supply companies etc, are direct beneficiaries of jobs created by water resources. Enhanced management and good governance of this resource is therefore indispensable to sustainably benefit generations to come.
Good management of water requires unconditional commitment from the government in terms of having excellent policies that are effectively implemented. Progressive laws, adequate funds and advanced conflict resolution mechanisms around water use should form a key thematic and strategic component in a government that aims to create jobs directly and indirectly.
Now, the National Water Bill and the National Water Policy which are critical documents in advancing good governance, management and sustainability of water resources are still pending in Parliament for years.
This is a major impediment to combating pollution, illegal abstraction and the impact of climate change on water resources. Harmonising institutions in the sector is imperative to provide an effective institutional framework with distinguished roles. This can only materialise with passing of the Water Bill 2015.
To set precedence, Hakijamii, a social justice institution, in partnership with Kenya Water and Sanitation Network and other stakeholders have joined communities in Kisumu to clean up and restore Auji River. The river has created jobs for youth and farmers and remains a key source of livelihoods. This campaign is aimed at sensitising the community on the importance of utilising the scarce water resources prudently.
By so doing we expect that this can be replicated and other rivers including Nairobi River can be redeemed and its water used meaningfully. Adequate budgeting and managing water catchment areas and basins cannot be overstated.
