NGPU January 30, 2024

Training workshop introducing stakeholders to Water as Leverage ( WAL)

Written by Jilopa K Ezra

The County Government through its Department of Water and Sanitation in collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and VEI led by CECM Dr Nelson Maara today held a training workshop introducing stakeholders to the Water as Leverage (WAL) approach and Sponge City Model (SCM).

Water as Leverage aims to involve the international financial world, development banks and governments in the advancement of this innovative approach, to create an inclusive and innovative pre-project preparation facility.

The workshop aims to provide insights into holistic urban solutions, fostering sustainable water management and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It also introduces a consortium of research partners that will do an in-depth desk research / hot spot analysis on Nakuru, building on former research on Sponge City Nakuru.

The technical working group was chosen among the participants to go more in-depth on the WAL approach and vision of Sponge City in Nakuru where the various key areas include leveraging urban infrastructure to capture rainwater.

Other key areas include replenishing groundwater and re-using wastewater and faecal sludge, reducing flood risks and enhancing urban resilience as well as integrating concepts into urban development to address environmental challenges like water scarcity, quality, and flooding, aligning with global goals.

Also present were CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development Hon John Kihagi, Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation Engineer Margaret Kinyanjui, Chief Officer for Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Natural Resources Kennedy Mungai, Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning Catherine Changwony, City manager Gitau Thabanja, Managing Directors for NAIVAWASCO and NAWASSCO, representative from Egerton university and other dignitaries.