Western Kenya Integrated Ecosystem Management Project

Project objectives To improve the productivity and sustainability of land use systems in the Nyando, Yala, and Nzoia river basins through adoption of an integrated ecosystem management approach i) Support on- and off-farm conservation strategies ii) improve the capacity of local communities and institutions to identify, formulate and implement integrated management activities

Project sites The project is implemented in 10 blocks - measuring 10 km x 10 km Activities are on-going in 2 blocks, Lower Nyando and Lower Yala. Sensitization has been completed for the remaining blocks Baseline information has been collected for Yala and Nzoia basins and Lower and Middle Nyando.

Current activities Community mobilization and empowering (KARI) Tree nurseries on-farm & in the communities (10 nurseries in Lower Nyando & Yala – KARI & ICRAF ) Survey on biophysical parameters (On-going in Middle Nyando - ICRAF) Survey on socio-economic issues (On-going in Upper Nyando - ICRAF) Tree-screening trials (45 trials in Lower Nyando and 110 in Lower Yala- ICRAF) Woodlots Rehabilitation of degraded areas (Lower Nyando: Kowala 1 & 2, Kalacha, Kokoto - ICRAF) Rehabilitation of ponds & dams (KARI)

Kowala Environmental Rehabilitation group

Current activities - Kowala Rehabilitation of a degraded area – this site was launched late ,000 tree seedlings have been planted this year Various activities for restoration of nutrient depleted soils Supporting nursery establishment & management Second group has been formed and an second degraded area identified

Kokoto Rehabilitation site

Current activities - Kokoto Rehabilitation of a degraded area – this site was launched late ,000 tree seedlings have been planted this year – Individual nursery with a farmer – promotion of indigenous species: Croton spp., Acacia spp., Grevillea spp. etc FOKO received funding for nursery establishment & de-silting of the dam

Current activities - Kalacha Rehabilitation of a degraded area – this is the oldest rehabilitation site of the project 10,000 tree seedlings have been planted this year Soil cover has increased from less than 20% to more than 80% Harvesting grass for livestock

Results so far In-depth baseline survey completed – biophysical and socio economic Rehabilitation of severely degraded areas Establishment of screening trials for indigenous trees on farmers’ fields Engagement of the local communities in these activities Promotion of indigenous trees for rehabilitation – more than 30,000 tree seedlings planted this year

Very high survival rate of tree seedlings planted (more than 80%) Soil cover has increased from less than 20% to more than 80% for the degraded areas