Project Financier: USAID Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP)
Project Year: 2024 (Complted)
Implementing Organization: Climate Change Adaptation Evidence Hub
Project Summary:
The Climate Change Adaptation Evidence Hub, through Asben Eco Consultants and Capacity Building Ltd, implemented a strategic policy development project titled Development of the Homa Bay County Sand Harvesting and Mining Policy under the USAID-funded Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP). The initiative aimed at supporting Homa Bay County in establishing a comprehensive legislative and policy framework for sustainable sand harvesting, quarrying, and mining management.
The project was developed in response to increasing environmental degradation, unregulated sand harvesting, and unsustainable mining activities within the county. Homa Bay County had experienced significant environmental and socio-economic challenges linked to uncontrolled sand harvesting and mining, including destruction of farmlands, degradation of aquatic ecosystems, destruction of roads and water infrastructure, increased vulnerability to climate change impacts, and loss of biodiversity.
The project objectives included reviewing existing county laws and policies, identifying policy gaps, facilitating stakeholder consultations, supporting public participation processes, and developing an evidence-based county policy framework for sustainable mining and sand harvesting. The initiative also sought to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure alignment with Kenya Vision 2030, the Constitution of Kenya (2010), the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), and the African Union Mining Vision.
The project adopted a participatory and inclusive methodology involving county government departments, local communities, civil society organizations, researchers, private sector actors, the Water Resources Authority (WRA), and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Through field surveys, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations, and public participation forums, the project generated critical evidence for policy formulation.
The resulting policy framework provides guidelines for sustainable resource extraction, environmental conservation, climate resilience, rehabilitation of degraded areas, and equitable benefit-sharing. The project contributes significantly to strengthening environmental governance, climate adaptation, and sustainable natural resource management within Homa Bay County.