Worldwide, the drawing of water is rising faster than the growth in the world's population. Between 1900 and 1990 the world's population increased from 1.7 billion to 5.5 billion, while the total... Show moreWorldwide, the drawing of water is rising faster than the growth in the world's population. Between 1900 and 1990 the world's population increased from 1.7 billion to 5.5 billion, while the total consumption of water in that time went up by a factor of 10, from 500 to 5,000 cubic km. This explosive rise is not just due to higher human consumption of water but is also the result of an increased supply as well as the expansion of existing economic activities and the introduction of new projects. By describing the water situation in the semi-arid Kajiado District in southern Kenya, this paper highlights the way specific interaction between political, juridical and economic processes has contributed to an upsurge in the pressure on natural water sources and available groundwater reserves. A history of Maasai landownership and water management initiatives in the area is followed by a comparison of efforts proposed and implemented to solve the numerous problems in water provision, focusing in particular on two types of water facilities - boreholes and shallow wells. The author argues that boreholes have contributed little to a solution for the growing water problems in Kajiado District. Instead, solutions should come from a merging of traditional and modern knowledge. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
In 1996 the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) embarked on a "Parks beyond Parks" programme, which aimed to bring some of the benefits of wildlife tourism to the local population. Under this programme,... Show moreIn 1996 the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) embarked on a "Parks beyond Parks" programme, which aimed to bring some of the benefits of wildlife tourism to the local population. Under this programme, local people were allowed to start tented camps and other tourist activities in areas bordering national parks. The present paper discusses the development of a new ecotourism initiative in the Selengei region, bordering Amboseli National Park, in Kajiado District. An overview of the history of wildlife conservation and tourism in Southern Kajiado District is followed by a detailed description of the Eselenkei Conservation Area initiative. The conclusion is that, although KWS presents the development of wildlife sanctuaries as a new form of "partnership" with the local Maasai population, the case of Selengei shows that in order to be truly community-based, certain conditions should be met. The benefits to be gained by the Selengei Maasai were still uncertain in 2000. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
