About Project

The project, titled "Applying the WEF Nexus to Promote Ecosystem-based Adaptation in the Ewaso Ng'iro North Catchment Area (ENNCA)," aims to enhance climate resilience, ensure sustainable resource use, and improve livelihoods across five counties in Kenya: Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Meru, and Nyeri. It supports the Government of Kenya (GoK), county governments, local communities, and agro-based private enterprises in advancing Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) practices and integrated planning across the water, energy, agriculture, and land use sectors.

Context

Kenya faces serious climate-related challenges: 80% of its landmass is arid and semi-arid (ASAL), making it extremely vulnerable to climate change effects like drought, flooding, and land degradation. The ENNCA region, encompassing the project counties, is emblematic of these challenges and serves as a critical area for applying integrated adaptation solutions.

Our Approach

The project promotes the use of the EbA and Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approaches to address complex interlinkages between climate change and resource use. Focus areas include:

• Co-production of knowledge with local and national stakeholders.
• Scenario development using the Nexus toolkit for resource planning.
• Stakeholder engagement across ministries, counties, and communities.
• Capacity building and knowledge sharing.
• Scaling and mainstreaming of EbA/Nexus solutions into policies and practice.

Implementation Strategy

The project aligns with national strategies such as Kenya Vision 2030 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, as well as the Climate Change Act (2016), NCCAPs, and NAP (2016–2030).

Key activities include:

• Mapping and assessment of natural resources and ecosystem services.
• Vulnerability and risk assessments of socio-ecological systems.
• Modelling interlinkages and trade-offs across sectors.
• Demonstration and pilot implementation of EbA solutions.
• Policy integration and stakeholder sensitisation.
• Capacity development for public officials and communities.

Target Ministries

The project collaborates with the following Government of Kenya ministries:

• Ministry of Devolution and the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)
• Ministry of Water & Sanitation and Irrigation
• Ministry of Energy
• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives
• Ministry of Environment and Forestry

These collaborations ensure alignment with County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and national policies.

Long-term Impact

The goal is for people, animals, and ecosystems in ENNCA to have secure access to water and energy, improved food security, and stronger resilience to climate change. The project promotes integrated governance and seeks to embed EbA/Nexus approaches into national and county frameworks.

Through inclusive participation, the project will demonstrate practical EbA solutions and build the institutional and technical capacity needed to scale and sustain these outcomes throughout Kenya and beyond.