Njururi back to the Thika river in Kenia

The Thika River in Kenya is struggling with erosion and pollution from industry and agriculture. Over the past decades, the water quality has deteriorated so much that the njururi, a water beetle that used to be common in the river, has completely disappeared. To find a solution to this crisis, a three-day Future Design Basecamp was organized. During this event, a wide group of stakeholders from the Thika catchment area discussed how the njururi can be reintroduced by restoring the river's ecosystem.

Thika river

The Thika River is heavily used by farmers, industries, and water supply companies. The river originates in the Aberdare Forest, where the water is still clean. Unfortunately, downstream this is not the case, as erosion and pollution have led to an unhealthy ecosystem. As a result, the water supply for Nairobi and other cities is also at risk. With support from the NWB Fonds, the Dutch organization Embassy of the Earth and Wereld Waternet facilitated a three-day meeting at the end of April to discuss the future of the river, known as the Future Design Basecamp. Stakeholders and problem owners in the Thika catchment area worked together on the goal of ‘bringing the njururi back into the river.’ A different approach was chosen compared to typical Blue Deal and WaterWorx projects with Nairobi City Water, Sewerage Company, and the Water Resource Authority. The reason for this is that managing a healthy river with so many stakeholders is too complex to leave to just one competent authority. A sustainable future can only be envisioned and realized with all the problem owners at the table in an unprecedented collaboration.

Community of Stakeholders

In November of last year, a planning task force was formed with various stakeholders, including coffee, tea, and pineapple companies, the Water Resource Company, water supply companies, Water User Associations (WRUAs), and the Ministry of Health. Frank Heckman from the Embassy of the Earth facilitated the process together with Wereld Waternet, the international implementation organization of the Hoogheemraadschap Amstel Gooi and Vecht. During the initial meetings, Frank explained that the goal of the initiative is to create a community of stakeholders and problem owners to address the challenges related to landscape and livelihoods. Frank stated: "With common ground, possible futures, clear strategies, attainable objectives, and far enough horizons, communities and regions are radically transforming their current collective realities of threat, stagnation, and destruction." The planning task force was immediately enthusiastic from the start. They talked about how the Thika River used to be and came up with the motto "Bring njururi back to the river." The njururi is a local water beetle that thrives in clear, clean water and thus symbolizes the restoration of a healthy ecosystem in the Thika River. The njururi also holds significant cultural meaning for women in the region (which often led to moments of humor).

Future Design Basecamp

The planning task force also had the responsibility of organizing the Future Design Basecamp, which was initially called the social search conference. This involved determining the system boundaries, selecting and briefing participants, informing and engaging key stakeholders, setting up logistics, handling communications, and preparing the opening ceremony. It was very different from organizing a typical conference! Every step in the preparation of a basecamp had to be carefully thought through, as it was crucial for achieving success. The task force learned a lot about socio-ecological thinking during their discussions and preparatory meetings with stakeholders.

The Future Design Basecamp took place on Delmonte's premises and began on the first day with an opening ceremony. About 120 people from industries, agriculture, forestry, water supply companies, water authorities, and other government agencies attended. The participation of CEOs emphasized the importance attached to the meeting. The official opening was followed by music, dancing, and a walk to the river. There was a moment of silence and prayer, as well as dancing and singing to honor the river. About 60 people stayed overnight to attend the following days. It was a true camp, with people sleeping in tents (some for the first time in their lives) and gathering around the campfire in the evenings.

On the second day, the real discussions began. Participants engaged in conversations about significant changes in the world, trends and forces that indirectly impact the river ecosystem. They also talked about their shared history, how the river system works, what should be preserved or let go of, what they want to create, the desired future, and the opportunities and constraints to make it happen. This led to a joint vision for the future:

"Beautiful rivers with clean, clear, and sufficient water in a reclaimed, restored, and protected wetland and river ecosystem, through proper policy and regulations, good agricultural and industrial practices. Bringing back Njururi, abundant aquatic life, and vegetation of native species throughout the Thika River Basin. The river ecosystem provides the communities with all their needs. In return, the communities are the custodians of the Thika River Basin."

The third day focused on creating action plans for 5 themes that participants identified as essential: water quality and quantity, conservation, policy, biodiversity, and recreation. Community involvement and climate change were the common threads running through all these themes.

Five task forces and one Council

For each theme, a task force has been formed that is responsible for its implementation.

The conservation task force will work on reforestation and ecosystem restoration, including by having stretches of riverbank adopted by external parties. Embassy of the Earth and Wereld Waternet have already adopted 1 kilometer as their contribution.

The water quality and quantity task force has set a goal to reduce sediment load in the river by 10% and increase water availability by 30% by 2030. They will, among other actions, monitor the water's condition and regularly bring together the responsible authorities.

The biodiversity task force will carry out an inventory of plant and animal species to establish a baseline of the current situation. This will allow them to take targeted improvement measures and set up targeted monitoring. The actions will be carried out in collaboration with, among others, the National Museums of Kenya, the Water Towers Agency, and WRUAs (Water Resource User Associations).

The recreation task force will focus on raising awareness of the need to protect water sources by promoting ecotourism in the Thika basin. There are beautiful places, such as waterfalls, caves, natural forests, and much more, that can be showcased.

The policy task force aims to integrate water and nature conservation policies at the provincial level within the Thika basin. They also want to develop guidelines for real-time data collection on various water parameters and strengthen water management through multi-governance structures and mechanisms. This task force will collaborate with the other task forces when lobbying for specific policy issues.

Additionally, a council has been chosen to coordinate the five task forces. The various groups have already started their work and meet periodically. With the help of Embassy of the Earth and Wereld Waternet, priorities for this year have been chosen, and progress is being promoted and monitored.

A Unique Way of Working

The Future Design Basecamp was a unique way to bring all stakeholders in the Thika River basin together in a bottom-up process. Especially after the session on the history of the area, participants were highly motivated to restore the river to its former clean and clear state. Because the participants stayed together in a campsite for three days and nights, a true community formed, with a shared vision, action plans, and the energy to create real change for the future. Embassy of the Earth and Wereld Waternet will continue to be involved in the implementation, supporting the community wherever needed.

Video and Webinar

A video has been created about this special initiative in the Thika River basin, which can be viewed here: Watch the Video

The Future Design Basecamp is a form of social search and is rooted in the social-ecological design philosophy. Recently, a webinar was organized by the NWB Fund as part of the KIWI program about this way of working with stakeholders. A recording of the webinar can be viewed here: Watch the Webinar