Kenya, Tanzania unite to protect shared rivers

Over the past three years, the campaign has grown in influence and reach, having been successfully implemented in a number of river basins within Kenya.

by GILBERT KOECH

Climate Change25 July 2025 - 08:17

In Summary

The Journey of Water is a national awareness campaign initiated by WWF-Kenya in 2022, with the goal of strengthening public understanding of where our water truly comes from—not the tap, but from healthy and functioning ecosystems.
Each year, the campaign follows the path of a selected river from its source through landscapes, communities, and ecosystems, highlighting the pressures it faces along the way and the actions needed to protect it.

As climate change strains water resources, Kenya and Tanzania have launched a cross-border initiative to safeguard shared freshwater systems.

The collaboration is part of the Journey of Water 2025 campaign, spearheaded by WWF-Kenya, with a renewed focus on transboundary rivers.

The campaign, launched on Wednesday, highlights two critical rivers: Kimengelia in Tanzania and Noolturesh in Kenya.

Both originate from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and collectively support more than 227,000 people across the border.

WWF-Kenya southern Kenya landscape programme manager Dr Martin Mulama said the campaign seeks to raise awareness on water catchment degradation.

Speaking in Rongai, Tanzania, he said it also aims to encourage collective action.

“The Journey of Water helps identify challenges facing water sources and the actions needed to protect them,” he said.

This year’s theme, ‘Rivers Without Borders: One Source, Shared Future’, emphasises the need for international cooperation in managing shared water resources and building climate resilience.

The initiative is part of the Catchment to Tap project funded by the Netherlands Embassy, and receives additional support from BMZ and other partners.

Over the past three years, the Journey of Water has taken place in key Kenyan river basins, including River Malewa (2022), Ewaso Nyiro (2023) and River Kibos (2024).

Each event involves walking the river’s path, engaging with communities, holding town hall discussions, and amplifying the message through media and partnerships.

This year’s journey, culminating in a town hall meeting, will produce joint resolutions from both countries to improve catchment protection. Participants, including civil society groups, trekked hills and valleys carrying placards to spread the message of conservation.

Dr. Mulama praised the campaign for transforming how communities perceive water sources. “Many now understand that water doesn’t just come from the tap — it starts in forests, wetlands, and mountain catchments that must be protected,” he said.

Highlighting the cross-border significance of rivers like the Mara, Mulama called for stronger policies and grassroots structures such as Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs) and Community Forest Associations. “As civil society, we support government efforts with knowledge, advocacy, and community mobilisation,” he added.

Challenges facing the rivers include over-abstraction, illegal diversions, unregulated irrigation, deforestation, sand harvesting, and pollution from agrochemicals. Climate change has worsened the situation, turning once-perennial rivers into seasonal streams, sparking conflicts among communities, wildlife, and farmers.

At the Tanzanian site, Rombo District Commissioner Raymond Mangwala noted positive strides, including the planting of indigenous trees near water catchments, a contrast to Kenya where invasive eucalyptus dominates. Mangwala emphasized the importance of strict environmental laws, community sensitization, and the active involvement of schoolchildren in conservation efforts.

“To truly protect these resources, local communities must benefit from them,” he said. He affirmed Tanzania’s commitment to ensuring every household eventually has access to clean water.

By tracking the full journey of rivers — from source to community — the campaign continues to shine a light on the invisible systems that sustain life, urging all stakeholders to protect them for current and future generations.