The impacts of hydropower development on rural livelihood sustenance |
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| Authors: | Eric Ochieng Okuku Steven Bouillon Jacob Odhiambo Ochiewo Fridah Munyi Linet Imbayi Kiteresi Mwakio Tole |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;2. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya;3. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya;4. Department of Development Studies, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya;5. Department of Environmental Sciences, Pwani University, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Kilifi, Kenya |
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| Abstract: | The existing reservoirs on the River Tana (Kenya) were mainly constructed for hydropower generation, with inadequate consideration of the long-term impacts on downstream livelihoods. We investigated the impacts of the reservoirs on people's livelihoods downstream. The results showed a few positive impacts in the vicinity of the reservoirs and numerous negative impacts downstream (i.e. reduced flood-recess agriculture and floodplain pastoralism, and escalating resource-use conflicts). Inadequate stakeholders' consultation during reservoir development was also observed. We recommend a detailed basin-wide socioeconomic assessment for future reservoir developments and controlled flood release to simulate the natural flow regime, thereby restoring indigenous flood-based livelihoods while retaining sufficient reserves for power generation. |
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| Keywords: | River Tana Kenya communities' perception hydropower development impact assessment floods |
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