Experts warn of growing water crisis as forests are cut down for development

An aerial view of Ngong Forest in Kajiado County. [Standard, File]

Kenya faces a critical water crisis, with 21 million people lacking basic access to safe water, according to UNESCO's World Water Development Report 2023.

This alarming trend, driven by urbanisation and competition for resources, is being exacerbated by the government's ongoing excision of forests like Karura and Ngong for development projects.

Environmental activists and water experts warn that such deforestation threatens water conservation efforts and climate change mitigation.

Greenbelt Movement founder Isaac Kalua criticised the government's role in approving projects that undermine forest cover, which is crucial for maintaining Kenya’s water resources.

“We find this mischievous because the same government that is approving these projects is the one that has committed to achieve 30 percent forest cover in 2030. This can only be achieved by preserving existing forests, planting more trees, and involving the public before drawing up projects that affect their lives,” Kalua said.

Rose Chemiat, a water expert and energy expert, echoed concerns about the detrimental impact of deforestation on water and sanitation.

“UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number 6 on clean water and sanitation show that progress needs to be four times faster to meet promises on safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) by 2030,” said Chemiat said.

She added that climate change has worsened risks related to WASH, noting that mosquito-borne diseases are exacerbated by uncontained wastewater and water shortages.

Chemiat also highlighted the growing competition for freshwater resources between agriculture, urban areas, and industries, as urban water demand is expected to rise by 80 per cent by 2050.

“Roughly one-third of the world’s cities that are dependent on surface water are facing competition with agriculture, which uses approximately 72 per cent of the global freshwater withdrawals,” she noted.

Following public outcry over the encroachment of protected forest lands, Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale directed the suspension of licences issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd for a golf course and entertainment facility within Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi County.

“My attention has this evening been drawn to a Special Use License (LIC005/2023) issued to Karura Golf Range Ltd by Kenya Forest Service on 14th June 2023 for the development, operation, and management of a golf range, restaurant, and mini golf park in Ngong Road Forest,” said Duale.

Duale further ordered the rescission of these licences, demanding a detailed brief on the matter within three days. His actions have been driven by concerns over forest land encroachment, sparking public outrage.

 The UNESCO’s report shows with just a few years to the 2030 deadline, three in five Africans, or 411 million people, still lack safely managed drinking water, and only Egypt and Algeria, out of the 54 countries are on track to achieve universal basic sanitation.

Relatedly, major gaps in WASH still exist, with 1.8 billion people using health care facilities that lack basic water services and 800 million using facilities