Kenya has partnered with UNESCO to conduct a nationwide mapping of underground water resources, senior officials said on Friday 
Kenya’s Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) CEO Philip Olum said the government will soon sign an agreement with UNESCO to facilitate scientific assessment on Kenya’s underground water potential.
“We have already begun mapping of aquifers in four arid and semi-arid counties and the exercise will be extended to the entire country. A budget of 11 million U.S. dollars is required to finalize this exercise,” said Olum.
He spoke in Nairobi during a high-level policy roundtable held concurrently with the launch of 2015 World Water Development Report.
Policy briefs from the ministry of water and natural resources indicate that aquifers contribute 5 percent to the overall water endowment in the country. Officials noted that lack of scientific data on the location and volumes of underground water hampered its exploitation.
“The mapping exercise that will cover four years will enhance our knowledge of the underground water potential in the country. The findings will guide utilization of this resource to promote development,”Olum told policymakers.
Kenya has domesticated international instruments on sustainable exploitation of underground water to achieve sustainable development. The government and donor partners have agreed on the establishment of a trust fund to support exploitation of underground water. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
