About WARREC

WARREC at a Glance

WARREC stands for Water Research and Resource Centre. The Center was set up and hosted by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, with support of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Launched on 14th December 2011 by the Minister of Water and Irrigation, the Center is designed to grow out of both the university and the Ministry to become a national center of excellence in research, innovation, science and technology for the broad water sector issues.

Mission

The mission of WARREC is to facilitate research, and build the capacity of a cross section of stakeholders in the diverse water issues including; resources planning, development and management, WASH, water for agriculture, IWRM, policy and to facilitate innovations, science and technology. WARREC will serve all stakeholders, including, water consumers, local communities, water resource managers, scientist, private sector, policy makers and all actors in the water sector.

Objectives of WARREC

The objectives of WARREC include to:

  • Enhance and facilitate research, innovation, science and technology in the broad water sector issues and activities,
  • Strengthen human and institutional capacities of water sector stakeholders in Kenya,
  • Facilitate networking and cooperation between institutions and individuals in the water sector,
  • Provide advisory services, advice policy and facilitate science communication, and
  • Carry out any other lawful activities for the furtherance of water sector services, growth and development.

Core Mandates

WARREC encourages the use of science, technology and innovation to back up development and investments for the water sector. WARREC works through collaborative initiatives with other research institutes, Government Ministries, local and international agencies, development partners, civil society organizations and beneficiary communities on water related issues. The water sector benefits from the inputs of research, science and technology inputs addressing the various water-related issues.

Areas of Cooperation in Research and Development

Water and environment

  • Land use change and water resources management
  • Climate change /climate variability and water resources mgt.
  • Environmental flows, IWRM, water and ecosystems
  • Erosion, sedimentation and nutrient transport
  • Flood risk assessment & management.

Water supply and Sanitation

  • Water supplies – design, planning & management
  • Sanitation– design, planning & development
  • Hygiene and water quality issues,
  • Wastewater management and reuse
  • Dam design and construction
  • Storm water management in urban and rural areas

Water for agriculture

  • Irrigation technologies & water management
  • Water harvesting, storage & utilization
  • Water management in rainfed systems
  • Soil and water conservation
  • Drainage of excess water

Socio-economic dimensions

  • Water policy, institutions and governance
  • Gender dimensions, community water management (e.g. RWUAs)
  • Financing water development & management

Capacity building for the water sector

  • Identifying Knowledge needs
  • Developing Water information database
  • Developing decision support tools
  • Emerging issues (e.g. climate change)