Climate-Resilient Water Resources Management in the Yala River Basin, Kenya

The Yala River Basin plays an important role in supporting agriculture, fisheries, livestock production, domestic water supply, small enterprises, and ecosystem services in western Kenya. However, declining river flows, catchment degradation, unsustainable water abstraction, and erratic rainfall are placing increasing pressure on water resources. These challenges affect food security, livelihoods, riparian ecosystems, and the broader Lake Victoria catchment.

This project applies the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) framework to support climate-resilient water governance in the Yala River Basin. CRIDA offers a participatory approach for assessing climate risks, exploring future scenarios, and identifying adaptive pathways for water resources management under uncertainty. The project connects local knowledge, hydrological information, climate projections, and institutional planning to support more informed decision-making.

A central component of the initiative is the involvement of local communities, Water Users’ Associations, county governments, national agencies, universities, NGOs, and private-sector actors in a shared planning process. Through participatory workshops, stakeholders will assess water-related vulnerabilities, discuss climate risks, and co-develop practical mitigation and adaptation pathways for the basin.

The project builds on existing collaboration between Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and partners in the Yala River Basin. It strengthens ongoing work on citizen science, water quality modelling, nature-based solutions, and participatory water governance, while creating new opportunities to translate scientific knowledge into adaptive water management strategies that support communities, ecosystems, and sustainable development.