The problem: Groundwater investments are often pursued without adequately considering the associated risks. These investments then frequently fail to meet their development objectives. A broader, inclusive socio-hydrological approach is needed.
The approach: The case study involved a proposed 110km pipeline from boreholes at Habaswein to the town of Wazir. The hydrological, social and financial risks were examined through stakeholder engagement, modelling and social surveys.
Key findings: Investment risks were judged to be high as a result of risks of salinisation, socio-political risks and lack of knowledge. Stakeholders with opposing opinions appreciated the risk perspective offered and the opportunity for dialogue. They indicated that better information might assist them to reconsider their opinions.
Where? Kenya
Consortium grant? No.
Principal Investigator: Jan der Leeuw, (World Agroforestry Centre, ICRAF)
Research Team:
- Eike Luedeling, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
- Maimbo Malesu, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
- Alex Oduor, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
- Dr Katherine Homewood, University College London
- Boniface Kiteme, Training and Research Support Centre
- Lieselotte Tolk, Acacia Water
- Arjen Oord, Acacia Water
- Sarah Ogalleh, Centre for Training and Integrated Research in Arid & Semi-Arid Lands Development
Research Organisations:
- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) – Grant NE/L00206X/1
- University College London (UCL)
- Training and Research Support Centre (TRSC)
- Acacia Water (AW)
- Centre for Training and Integrated Research in Arid & Semi-Arid Lands Development (CETRAD)
Find out more:
- PDF summary:
- ARIGA project website on ICRAF
- Jan de Leeuw presents in RWSN-UPGro webinar Africa Groundwater Research, 9 December 2014
- Luedeling, E., T. Rosenstock, J. de Leeuw, K. Shepherd (2014) “Considering Imperfect Information in Supporting Development Decisions”
- Luedeling, E. and J. De Leeuw (2014) “Water for Wajir. Decision modeling for the Habaswein-Wajir Water Supply Project in Northern Kenya” , August 2014 , World Agroforestry Centre , Nairobi, Kenya
- Luedeling E, Oord AL, Kiteme B, Ogalleh S, Malesu M, Shepherd KD and De Leeuw J (2015) “Fresh groundwater for Wajir—ex-ante assessment of uncertain benefits for multiple stakeholders in a water supply project in Northern Kenya”. Front. Environ. Sci. 3:16. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2015.00016
- Luedeling E, Downie K, De Leeuw J, Shepherd K, 2014. Assessing Resilience in the Horn of Africa – an Applied Information Economics Approach. Oral presentation. Building resilience for food & nutrition security – IFPRI 2020 International Conference, 15th – 18th May, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Luedeling E, Downie K, De Leeuw J, Shepherd K, 2014. An applied information economics approach to assessing resilience in the Horn of Africa. Oral presentation. Resilience 2014 – Resilience and Development, Mobilizing for Transformation, 4th – 8th May, Montpellier, France.
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