Water project strengthens community-wildlife coexistence

Plans to improve access to water for communities, livestock and wildlife in Taita Taveta County have advanced following consultations on the planned renovation of the Alia borehole, a shared water source serving households and animals around Lualenyi Wildlife Conservancy and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA) engaged community members and local stakeholders to discuss the proposed rehabilitation of the borehole and gather views on the planned works. The consultations are intended to strengthen local ownership of the project while ensuring that the water facility responds to the needs of the communities and wildlife that depend on the resource.

The renovation is being undertaken under the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) project, “Advancing Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Effectiveness in Kenya through an Integrated Approach.” The initiative brings together conservation and government institutions, including Conservation International, the State Department for Wildlife, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, TTWCA, Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute.

The Alia borehole plays an important role in an ecosystem where people, livestock and wildlife depend on limited water resources. Improving the facility is therefore expected to strengthen water availability while supporting efforts to manage pressure on shared natural resources.

During the community consultations, stakeholders discussed the importance of the borehole and the need for cooperation throughout the renovation process. Community participation is expected to help ensure that the rehabilitation is implemented in a manner that takes into account local circumstances and promotes sustainable use of the water source.

Access to reliable water is particularly important in areas where communities live alongside wildlife. Competition for water and other natural resources can increase interactions between people and wildlife, potentially contributing to human-wildlife conflict. Strengthening water infrastructure can help address some of these pressures by improving access to essential resources for different users.

The project adopts an integrated approach that links water resource management with conservation and community livelihoods. By involving local communities in planning and implementation, stakeholders aim to promote practical solutions that can be maintained beyond the completion of the renovation works.

The planned rehabilitation is also expected to contribute to sustainable management of the surrounding ecosystem. Effective management of shared water points can help communities, livestock owners and conservation stakeholders coordinate the use of available resources while reducing unnecessary competition.

Stakeholders emphasised the importance of continued collaboration as the project progresses. Regular consultation with communities and local actors will remain critical in ensuring that the renovated borehole is effectively managed and continues to serve its intended users.

The initiative demonstrates the role that reliable water infrastructure can play in strengthening community resilience and supporting conservation efforts. For households, improved water access can contribute to better livelihoods, while dependable water sources for livestock and wildlife can support the wider ecosystem.

Through the GEF-8 project, partners are seeking to promote community-led approaches that address the underlying pressures contributing to human-wildlife conflict. The Alia borehole renovation is one such intervention, linking water access, sustainable resource management and conservation.

Once completed, the improved borehole is expected to provide a more dependable shared water source and contribute to peaceful coexistence between communities, livestock and wildlife in the surrounding conservation landscape.