SPRING CONSERVATION MEASURES ON WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION IN KENYA: A CASE OF SPRING CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN KERICHO COUNTY
Kipkurui Benard - Student, Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Patrick Mbataru - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Springs are the most significant source of water for most of the people in Kenya. Over the years there is evidence of drying up of springs and reduction of volumes of water flowing downstream, making it hard for the people to access this crucial commodity. This mostly affects women and the vulnerable groups within the society. Climate change, land-use and forest cover reduction, are the leading causes of the drying up of springs. Kericho County has witnessed a significant reduction of volumes of water flowing in the springs occasioning the need for initiatives geared towards spring revival, protection and rehabilitation. This study was purposed to ascertain the spring conservation measures on water resources protection in Kericho County. The objectives of this study were; to determine the effectiveness of fencing in water conservation and examining the effectiveness of spring water drainage in the protection of water resources. This research was underpinned on Himalayan Environmental degradation theory and the Hydrological Circle model and adopted a descriptive survey research approach. This study targeted 96 spring Committee members and 9 Officers from the Environment and Water Department in Kericho County making the total population of 105. Since the total population was manageable a census of all respondents was conducted. The data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed with the SPSS version 26. The analyzed data were displayed in frequency tables, pie chart and bar graphs. All the measures showed a significant effect on water resources protection. The Correlation Coefficient (r) indicated that fencing had a positive 0.55 relationship with water protection and Digging Drainage Ditches indicated a positive relationship of 0.45. The study concluded that the spring conservation measures are critical for safeguarding water resources in Kericho County. Fencing and digging drainage ditches are all effective strategies for enhancing the quality availability and sustainability of water resources in the springs. Each of the above measures contributes in unique ways to protection of the scarce water resources, with fencing preventing access that can lead to pollution, drainage ditches managing runoff and soil erosion, and tree planting supporting the natural hydrological cycle by improving water retention. Further, keen reckoning ought to be made to curtail human activities in and around the springs as engaging in such activities is detrimental to water protection since human activities conversely related to water resources protection.