Strategic Water Development in Rural Kenya-- The Importance of Rainwater

80 % of Kenya’s population is rural and agriculture based. The majority of rural Kenyans rely on small-scale (subsistence) farming. The economic importance of rainwater catchment combined with smallholder irrigation has not been properly evaluated for Kenya, hence the investigation presented in the present paper. The investigation adopts a systematic, integrated and strategic approach (SISA) to evaluate the role of rainwater catchment in rural Kenya. The emphasis is on subsistence and appropriate technologies as well as management of natural resources (particularly land and water). In conclusion, recommendations are presented on how proper strategies can result in promotion of rainwater catchment and utilisation for food security in the new millennium