WaL - Nakuru

Nakuru is one of Kenya's fastest-growing cities and is increasingly exposed to water-related risks, including flooding, drought, soil erosion, polluted runoff, aquifer depletion, and environmental degradation. These challenges threaten public health, economic development, and the ecological integrity of the Lake Nakuru basin. At the same time, Nakuru has strong assets: a distinctive volcanic landscape, active communities, and a growing recognition that nature can play a central role in climate adaptation.

Water as Leverage (WaL) Nakuru is a design-driven climate adaptation programme jointly developed by the Government of the Netherlands, the County Government of Nakuru, and a broad coalition of Kenyan, Dutch, and international partners. The programme reframes water from a risk into a catalyst for climate resilience, inclusive growth, and long-term urban prosperity.

In its first phase, the programme established the Nature-Based Sponge System (NBSS) as an integrated, place-based approach to urban water management. The NBSS applies core functions – such as recharge, delay, collect, transport, and purify – to manage water across natural and urban landscapes. Through collaborative research, design workshops, and stakeholder engagement, Phase 1 developed a portfolio of scalable Nature-based Solutions (NbS), ranging from erosion control in Menengai to river restoration in Ngosur, improved infiltration in Kiamunyi, and the transformation of quarries in Lanet into multifunctional sponge landscapes.

Building on this foundation, Phase 2 marks a critical shift from strategy to implementation. Three priority hotspots – Menengai Crater, the Central Business District, and the Njoro River corridor – have been integrated into a single System Project, reflecting the interconnected nature of Nakuru's watershed. The project translates the NBSS into an operational framework structured around four complementary components: upstream restoration to reduce runoff and erosion; urban drainage improvements to manage flood risk; buffer zones that provide water storage, treatment, and public space; and socio-spatial interventions that embed social, economic, and governance value across all measures.

Modelling results confirm the effectiveness of this integrated approach. Flood-prone areas are significantly reduced across different return periods, demonstrating that only a coordinated, system-wide strategy can deliver long-term flood resilience. At the same time, the project generates substantial co-benefits, including enhanced water availability, ecosystem restoration, improved urban liveability, and new opportunities for green mobility and public space.

The economic and institutional assessments further support implementation. The programme shows a strong benefit–cost ratio, indicating high societal returns, while aligning with Kenya’s national and county policy frameworks. A multi-level governance structure – linking county and city authorities with national agencies, utilities, and communities – ensures feasibility and enables phased delivery. Multiple financing pathways are identified, combining public investment with international climate finance mechanisms.

Aligned with Nakuru Vision 2050, Water as Leverage provides a clear roadmap in which water management supports sustainable urban development, job creation, and improved quality of life. The next phase will focus on advancing financing, feasibility studies, and detailed design, while maintaining the integrated system approach that underpins the project's impact.

By working with water rather than against it, WaL Nakuru positions the city as a leading example of a sponge city in Africa – resilient, inclusive, and water-positive.