Water harvesting should be part and parcel of all development projects

Misheck Muthomi in a section of his five-acre farm in Buuri Sub County, Meru. He grows various crops for export with rainwater harvests, which ensures he has a minimum of 2.8m litres of water at any given time. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Kenya is thirsty. In the recent past, rainfall patterns have been erratic, resulting in water shortages. Agriculture, secondary industries and families are affected. Water vending business has boomed - but at what cost to public health?

The World Bank (2014) defined resilience as "the ability of a system, entity or community to adopt to a variety of changing conditions and withstand shocks while maintaining its essential functions.'' As a country we must put in place mitigating measures that will enhance resilience in the water sector.