SUMMARY

Miguye is one of the tributaries of the Awach River in Kisumu County which is the source of clean Water going to Lake Victoria.

Orii village is the principal source of the Miguye water body and lately, farming activities has threatened its water with consequences that people queue for water overnight.

By reforesting and building gabions at the source stretching over a kilometer in Orii, there is hope that the water body will remain to serve the inhabitants for longer.

We also hope that an additional step can be taken to erect water tanks that can be used for purifying the water before people draw it through pipes if funds area availed.

Categorization

Environmental conservation

1.1 THE ORIGIN OF YOUR WORK

I come from this area and watching people and animals suffering has been painful to me. When I was young,

The river was the source of some of the cleanest and refreshing water ever. Seeing the river die may be disastrous without trying to save it.

1.2 THE CONTRIBUTION OF YOUR WORK

Having the goodwill of my Orii village mates is one thing I bring across. I have been one of the key contenders for the local administrative post (assistant chief) in my village.

Additionally, I bring hard work and any other resources at our disposal which include stones.

2.1 PROJECT SITE

Orii village stretching from the source of river Miguye to the lower area near the Okaka home.

Making the area where people draw water with pipes for ease of drawing water and then planting trees along the eroded slopes running down to the Okaka home.

Most of this will require the human labor of at least 100 people. Hiring of 2 Lorries to ferry stones from the farms in the area of Ogango will be needed.

Wire mesh for the gabions stretching the whole kilometer will be required as well.

2.2 FIELD WORK

The anticipated period for the project is 2 months. Because this is where I come from, it is easier for me to monitor the whole project to its end.

2.3 ACTIVITIES AND TIMESCALE

Holding community meetings with the stakeholders-immediately the funds are available.

Sourcing for contractors-2-3 weeks, Contractors on the ground for water source redesign and gabion building 1 month from the fund availability.

Completion of the river source rehabilitation1-2 MONTHS.

Tree planting from Maseno forestry 2nd month onwards.

3.1 METHODS TO BE USED

Both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be used in the course of the project.

Community meetings will be done with the help of the local administration.

Sourcing of contractors will be done through tendering with the most qualified bidder awarded.

Government agencies may be involved.

To make the work inclusive, labor will be provided by the local community as well as the stones to be used.

Each part of the work will be evaluated for value for money with professionals.

Reporting and evolution of the work at the end.

3.2 REASONING

To get the best results at the end of this all important aspect of conservation, both the techniques are handy. As it is, the situation is dire and solving the water problem is what pushes the use of both techniques.

4.1 CONSERVATION OUTPUTS

Return of the old river source.

Better water quality for animals and humans.

Improved climate, with the trees acting as rain catchment.

Improved agricultural activities.

Improved aesthetic look of the river source.

4.2 CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE

with the improved water flow along this river source, the beneficiaries are likely to be the fresh water fish like nile perch (Lates niloticus) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)along the stretch of lake indigenous trees key to the river survival will be introduced as well like the African fig (ficusmoracea). Water hiyacynth (Eichhornia crassipes) in lake Victoria is thriving because of the ever polluted river water.

The conservation of the Miguye catchment can be the first step at ensuring that farm affluent and animal waste is kept out of water bodies supplying lake Victora.

Apart from the over 4000 humans who will have better domestic and drinkinmg water. Cows (Bos taurus), goats(Capra aegagrus hircus) and sheep(Ovis aries) which are the animals found in this area will get to have clean drinking water.

5. MONITORING

When the quality of life which has moved for the worst in the area improves.

Less time spent at the stream

Reduced erosion of the riverbed.

Return of the forest cover along the riverbed.

Inceased agricultural and economic activity

6.1 TEAM DESCRIPTION

With qualified experts from the department of agriculture in Kenyatta university and a team of

forestry experts from the Maseno forestry department, the area of adviser and execution of the project will be in the hands of those with the right knowledge.

The project management will be in the hands of an expert from the city department with experience in river rehabilitation with a background in rehabilitation of the stretch of river Nairobi passing through the city.

6.2 MY SKILLS

My being a local and the fact that I have the public goodwill will be handy in this respect. However, With the funds availability, leading the team may be delegated to others with my role remaining role being the supervisory.

6.3 LINKS

I have formed vital links with the local research organizations like the Weltered group, the Rera group and the local youth groups.

Other Funding

Because of initiating the project, the professional service costs will be covered by my organization-NEEVA and the wider KACHIEN'G WELFARE, both community based organizations registered officially.

We are asking for the funding to enable us have this impact in the community.