International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics

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DOI :10.30897/ijegeo.1390273   IUP :10.30897/ijegeo.1390273    Full Text (PDF)

Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties

Mary Makokha, Clifford Obiero, Hosea Mwangi, David Mburu, Wycliffe Nyangau, Emmanuel Abban Baidoo

This research presents a comprehensive study on water resources in the semi-arid regions of Isiolo and Samburu counties in Kenya, with a focus on the conservancies. The aim of the study was to determine; water availability, accessibility, quality, and suitability for improved livelihoods in these regions. Data was collected through literature reviews, site visits, and laboratory experiments, with a specific focus on groundwater and surface water sources. Our study revealed that the primary source of domestic water was from boreholes. They had an average depth of approximately 70 m, with average yields of 2 to 6 m3 /hr and were strategically located along the riparian areas of Laggas, which are fairly fractured, allowing for recharge of floodwater. Some areas had poor groundwater yields of 1- 2 m3 /hr which could be attributed to the hard geological formations and limited recharge areas within the region. The areas geological composition comprises of volcanic layers of basalts, trachytes, phonolites overlain by regolith, which retain water except the basalts and trachytes have limited water storage capacity resulting into poor yields when fractured. There was a diversification of water resource use including; water pans, springs, rivers, boreholes, earth dams, rock catchment and gravity water supply to curb seasonality. The TDS, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC) were within the WHO recommended standards except for variations such as; high alkalinity, high fluoride levels, and excess algae observed especially in the water pans indicating the presence of pollution. Identified challenges included: construction and design problems, improper siting, siltation, lack of protection, absence of spillways and silt traps, and contamination by livestock and wildlife. The research highlights the significance of diversified water sources, alternative energy solutions, groundwater potential, and community-based management for addressing water scarcity and improving access to clean and safe water for arid livelihoods sustainability. 

Keywords: water sources, water levels and quality, accessibility, climate variability, conservancies

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APA

Makokha, M., Obiero, C., Mwangi, H., Mburu, D., Nyangau, W., & Abban Baidoo, E. (2024). Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 11(2), 38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


AMA

Makokha M, Obiero C, Mwangi H, Mburu D, Nyangau W, Abban Baidoo E. Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics. 2024;11(2):38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


ABNT

Makokha, M.; Obiero, C.; Mwangi, H.; Mburu, D.; Nyangau, W.; Abban Baidoo, E. Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, [Publisher Location], v. 11, n. 2, p. 38-51, 2024.


Chicago: Author-Date Style

Makokha, Mary, and Clifford Obiero and Hosea Mwangi and David Mburu and Wycliffe Nyangau and Emmanuel Abban Baidoo. 2024. “Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties.” International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 11, no. 2: 38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


Chicago: Humanities Style

Makokha, Mary, and Clifford Obiero and Hosea Mwangi and David Mburu and Wycliffe Nyangau and Emmanuel Abban Baidoo. “Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties.” International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 11, no. 2 (Dec. 2024): 38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


Harvard: Australian Style

Makokha, M & Obiero, C & Mwangi, H & Mburu, D & Nyangau, W & Abban Baidoo, E 2024, 'Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties', International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 38-51, viewed 23 Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


Harvard: Author-Date Style

Makokha, M. and Obiero, C. and Mwangi, H. and Mburu, D. and Nyangau, W. and Abban Baidoo, E. (2024) ‘Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties’, International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 11(2), pp. 38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273 (23 Dec. 2024).


MLA

Makokha, Mary, and Clifford Obiero and Hosea Mwangi and David Mburu and Wycliffe Nyangau and Emmanuel Abban Baidoo. “Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties.” International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, vol. 11, no. 2, 2024, pp. 38-51. [Database Container], https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


Vancouver

Makokha M, Obiero C, Mwangi H, Mburu D, Nyangau W, Abban Baidoo E. Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics [Internet]. 23 Dec. 2024 [cited 23 Dec. 2024];11(2):38-51. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273 doi: 10.30897/ijegeo.1390273


ISNAD

Makokha, Mary - Obiero, Clifford - Mwangi, Hosea - Mburu, David - Nyangau, Wycliffe - Abban Baidoo, Emmanuel. “Water Resources Availability and Accessibility for Water Security and Improved Livelihoods in Kenyan Drylands; Case Study of Isiolo and Samburu Counties”. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 11/2 (Dec. 2024): 38-51. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1390273



TIMELINE


Submitted23.11.2023
Accepted09.06.2024
Published Online16.06.2024

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