The EAC and GIZ Lake Victoria Basin Integrated Water Resources Management (LVBC-IWRM) Programme provided vital support for the 13th annual Mara Day celebration, held on 15 September 2024, in Sekenani Town, Narok County, Kenya. Under the theme, "Flowing Forward Together: Conserving the Mara Basin Ecosystem for Sustainable Biodiversity and Climate Change Resilience" (Swahili: “Kwa Pamoja: Tuhifadhi Bonde la Mto Mara kwa Bionuai Endelevu na Ustahimilivu wa Tabianchi”), the event highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in protecting the Mara River Basin, one of East Africa's most vital ecosystems.
The celebration brought together high-level representatives from key ministries and agencies in both Tanzania and Kenya. Participants included the Tanzanian Ministry of Water, the Lake Victoria Basin Water Board, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, and the Ministry of Agriculture, among others. Kenyan counterparts represented the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA), as well as local county governments from Narok, Nakuru, Bomet, and Migori.
The event focused on promoting stakeholder engagement and collaboration in conserving the Mara ecosystem, a critical waterway shared by Kenya and Tanzania. The day-long event showcased innovative conservation practices and included various activities such as a pre scientific conference, stakeholder displays, tree planting, and school children’s competitions. These activities highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, climate resilience, and the need for inclusive socio-economic development in managing natural resources.
Further, the events’ discussions focused on four key themes:
Environmental Conservation and Climate Resilience
Natural Resource Management for Inclusive Socio-Economic Development
Legal Justice, Gender Equality, and Governance Framework for Transboundary Cooperation
Knowledge, Innovation, and Technology in Conservation of the Mara Ecosystem
Delegates from Tanzania and Kenya—including researchers, conservationists, and government representatives—reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, sharing innovations, and mobilising resources to preserve the Mara ecosystem. A strong message of transboundary collaboration emerged, with leaders from both countries coining the slogan, "Deepening and Widening Cooperation within the EAC." This reflects the shared recognition of the importance of cross-border efforts in managing and conserving the Mara Basin, which is essential for the livelihoods of millions of people and the biodiversity that depends on it.
The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to reviewing and implementing the transboundary integrated water management plan, aimed at conserving the Mara ecosystem while fostering closer cooperation between Tanzania and Kenya. This plan will serve as a key framework for maintaining the health of the Mara River Basin, promoting sustainable conservation practices, and ensuring resilience against climate change impacts.
The 13th Regional Mara Day celebration served as a platform for reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation, innovation, and shared responsibility in conserving the Mara River Basin. With support from the EAC-GIZ IWRM Programme, stakeholders from Tanzania and Kenya continue to push forward with commitments to ensure the sustainable conservation of this critical ecosystem while fostering socio-economic development and climate resilience.
Background
The joint EAC-GIZ Water Programme plays a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and other key actors. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the programme focuses on promoting sustainable economic use and environmental protection of water resources in the EAC region, with a specific emphasis on the Lake Victoria Basin. By implementing Integrated Water Resources Management strategies, the programme supports regional cooperation, sustainable water management, and the resilience of ecosystems like the Mara River Basin.
Find more information on the EAC-GIZ LVBC IWRM programme here.