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1.0 Introduction
Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies.
LWR does not implement projects directly but rather plays a facilitation role in enhancing partners' capacity to plan and implement their own projects. Thus, LWR-East Africa Regional Office (LWR-EARO) partners with Community based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), NGOs and INGOs in supporting community development activities.
2.0 Background.
Makindu and Kiboko sub-catchments are in Athi River drainage system and also in Athi River Catchment Area. Makindu River farms SHG falls under the former while Kiboko SHG falls within the latter catchment area. Ndukangeuke SHG falls within both the sub catchment areas with the bigger part being in the latter.
Lutheran World Relief has been undertaking an Emergency Response Project "Back from the Brink" with two partners, Makindu and Neema Self help groups, in Makindu area that has involved undertaking the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure through cash for work activities, catchment and environmental conservation and capacity building of the Makindu and Neema self help groups.
The work has culminated in the construction of irrigation infrastructure including piping systems, tanks and water reservoirs in the Neema and Makindu areas that is currently being utilized to supply water for irrigation for over 70 acres of farm land.
In addition to challenges with water supply for irrigation occasioned by the current drought, rainfall has not been sufficient to fill the reservoir in Makindu. The amount of irrigation water available to farmers in the Makindu and Neema areas has therefore been limited.
Lutheran World Relief would like to determine the key options that would resolve the current water shortages for the Makindu areas by expanding the current work to upstream and downstream areas of the Makindu river, with a focus on watershed management and soil and water conservation measures which reduce dependence on rain fed agriculture. The expansion work should consider any gaps in the proposed government irrigation canal rehabilitation work in Kiboko to avoid duplication and in the downstream areas to take into account those covered by Ndukangeuke Self Help group. These areas were identified through a rapid assessment process undertaken by Lutheran World Relief in April 2011.
3.0 Assignment
Early this year, LWR, with the help of consultant conducted a rapid assessment of the area under consideration to among other things identify the key causes of water scarcity and the possible solutions.
The identified causes include unreliable / inadequate rainfall, catchment destruction and soil erosion, while the solutions include water harvesting (road runoff harvesting), terracing to conserve water, afforestation of suitable tree species, construction of underground water tanks, construction of water reservoirs across the rivers, piping of canals to reduce water seepage, tree planting, spring and catchment protection, and use of cultural or biological conservation measures.
Given the current food crisis the district is experiencing that risks undermining LWR's work with Makindu and Neema SHGs, there is a need to identify a catchment conservation plan that efficiently and economically addresses as many of the aforementioned identified causes (relevant to the target communities) as possible, through mainly manual labor provided by the affected communities in exchange for cash. The strategy will result in increased incomes which can help to prevent starvation while restoring, rehabilitating and protecting productive assets. These assets, if used properly, can consequently contribute to increased community resiliency to future shocks. The preferred works are those occurring on communal lands, which will benefit a larger number of people (in general an irrigation system is more expensive and may not benefit a large number of people except the minority that has access to irrigable land than soil, water, and catchment protection structures that benefit a larger section of the population).
The purpose of this assignment therefore is to develop an economical infrastructure works program (including rainwater harvesting and soil and water conservation structures and rehabilitation of irrigation systems) that can provide short term employment to community members and can significantly contribute to increased water availability in the Makindu District. Specifically, the study should provide appropriate data and develop the designs for the construction of water harvesting structures to supplement and resolve the current water shortages for Makindu and to expand water structures and interventions in Ndukangeuke and where appropriate , without duplicating or conflicting with the proposed government interventions in Kiboko areas.
4.0 Key Objectives and Outputs.
The key objective is to conduct an overall technical assessment to develop and implement appropriate soil and water conservation measures that would be most suitable and appropriate to address the agricultural production and domestic water requirements in the Makindu, Kiboko and Ndukangeuke areas of the Kiboko and Makindu sub catchments.
The assessment should survey and develop for Kiboko and Ndukangeuke areas the interventions that can 1) support agricultural and livestock production such as construction of soil and water conservation measures e.g. terraces, retention ditches and grass strips in communal areas, and rain water harvesting from the roads; 2) enhance and support water conservation, storage and utilization through for example the construction and rehabilitation of soil and water conservation measures, earth dams and pans construction, shallow wells rehabilitation and construction and weirs construction; and 3) promote catchment rehabilitation, protection, conservation and appropriate management through tree planting (communal areas), construction of soil and water conservation measures and identification and pegging of riparian zones and their subsequent protection and conservation.
Specifically the consultancy will:
Conduct a watershed management and conservation assessment which will address the following:? Conservation tillage
? Tree planting
? Domestic water utilization and conservation
? Livestock watering sources
? Contour strips/erosion control
? Water harvesting
Develop a detailed watershed management and conservation plan for the catchment area.
Determine the structures needed to facilitate the implementation of the watershed management plan
Design the appropriate soil and water conservation measures including documenting the length and coverage of the structures and recommending the types of structures for rain water harvesting, run off protection and retention and the construction of structures such as terraces, grass strips and rain water harvesting systems from roads.
Develop cost estimates for the various soil and water conservation structures and identify the key equipment and labor requirements for their construction especially in the communal areas.
Identify and recommend the key areas for catchment rehabilitation measures that will include protection, conservation, pegging and demarcation and tree planting.
5.0 Implementation period:
The consultant/consultancy firm will be engaged on a short term basis, based on an agreed action plan and should be available immediately.
6.0 Qualifications:
? A reliable and effective firm/individual with experience in similar assignments and a proven record in delivering professional results
? Fluent in English and Kiswahili
? Experience in the Eastern Kenya region would be advantageous
? Only Kenya-based candidates will be considered due to time and resource considerations
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