In Kajiado town, the [http://www.akvo.org/rsr/organisation/414/ SASOL Foundation], [http://www.ciesin.org/IC/icraf/ICRAF.html ICRAF] and the [http://www.masaitech.ac.ke/ Masai Technical Training Institute (MTTI)] will implement a project to demonstrate and research the potential of rainwater harvesting for food security, focusing largely on [http://www.bebuffered.com/ 3R technologies] (Recharge, Retention and Re-use).
The project is located near the campus of the training institute in a typical landscape of this region, which consists mainly of rocky soils with course sands. It will explore the potential of rainwater harvesting for food security. A number of check dams that provide water for pasture and watering animals will be installed. The students of Masai Technical Training Institute will be trained to construct small and simple structures to capture runoff water. Through a simple adaptation, the offtake well will provide for cattle as well as people. Documentation on the expected vegetation recovery is to be achieved through satellite imagery. The aim of the project is to demonstrate and research, but also to familiarize an important group of people with the 3R method. <font size="2" color=#06A5D1>Project period : April 2013- Juli 2015</font>
==Problem statement==
==Location and partners==
* '''Kajiado central, Kajiado town'''
:: SASOL
:: Masai Technical Training Institute
:: ICRAF
* '''Role and responsibility of main partner:'''
:: SASOL will organise the pilot with MTTI. They will negotiate the terms of reference with them and start construction.
* '''Other partners:'''
:: ICRAF
:: MTTI
* '''Role and responsibilities of other partners:'''
:: ICRAF will document the current situation, the changes that took place and train people on the kind of approach.
:: MTTI will use the site as demonstration. They will also maintain it and use it for fieldtrips.
==Description==
This pilot uses the [[FIETS sustainability principles | F.I.E.T.S.]] model of WASH services.
*''' Institutional:''' capacity strengthening of the local Masai Technical Training Institute and its students
* '''Environmental:''' by blocking the runoff valuable water will recharge the groundwater table. It will also be locally available to users for domestic and agricultural use. But more over, to potentially sustain natural vegetation in the area.
* '''Technical sustainability:''' Simple and low cost technology, easy to maintain
* '''Themes:''' 3R MUS, food security
* '''3R and MUS:''' Water will recharge the groundwater table and be used for cattle and tree planting.
* '''Other themes:''' Strong focus on demonstration, documentation and research
====Objectives====
# Demonstrate the potential of low tech interventions in rainwater harvesting for Kajiado landscape.
# Make students of MTTI acquainted with the ideas of 3R and train them on dam construction (?)
# Provide a permanent reference for interested organisations to visit.
# Provide detailed proof of the changes in landscape that can be seen through this intervention.
====Activities====
# RAIN contracted SASOL to implement the activities and coordinate them locally (April 2013).
# SASOL to provide a detailed construction plan and negotiate with MTTI the terms and conditions. They will then sign an MoU with MTTI on the proceedings (May 2013).
# ICRAF will start a baseline of the landscape of the project site and document the ‘no intervention’ situations. They will do this during one dry season and one wet season (May 2013 and October 2013). They will repeat this in October 2014 and May 2015 and document their findings in a publication.
# SASOL will coordinate the site selection and construction will start in June 2013.
# MTTI will facilitate the building by including the works in their curriculum (September, October, November 2013).
# MTTI will write an MoU with the owner of the plot on access (April, May 2013).
