Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training & Research

The Centre has successfully installed a GNIP station on Amu Island at the Shela dunes in Lamu County . The station is located within the premises of the Lamu Water and Sewerage Company (LAWASCO).

With this addition, the total number of GNIP stations across the country now stands at 12, marking a significant achievement toward the Centre’s performance contract (PC) target for the current financial year.

While RCGW has now established 12 GNIP stations nationwide, the target is to expand the network to 20 stations across the country. Achieving this milestone will provide a stronger national coverage and a more robust reference framework for supporting hydrological and studies.

RCGW technical teams are currently undertaking an integrated ground water assessment in the Hills aimed at enhancing understanding of systems, surface water dynamics, geology, and water quality within the region.

The multidisciplinary exercise brings together experts from the: Hydrology Team, Water Quality Team and Geology Team.
•The Hydrology Team is conducting streamflow measurements.
•The Water Quality Team is carrying out insitu water testing and sampling. The water samples will be tested further in our labs.
•The Geology Team is undertaking geological mapping and characterization of rock formations that influence groundwater occurrence, recharge, and storage within the Chyulu Hills ecosystem.

The integrated assessment will generate critical scientific data to support sustainable groundwater development, , and evidence-based decision-making.

As part of RCGW mandate to enhance capacity building for the staff, the centre represented by Ms. Valmy Otieno undertook “Environmental Governance at Local Level" program at Aarhus Universitet . It was an intensive deep dive into how ambitious environmental policies is turned into real-world results.

The exercise moved beyond the "what" of policy and focused heavily on the "how." Here are the highlights from a transformative experience:

The Implementation Toolkit

The program explored the Integrated Implementation Model, dissecting the "carrots, sticks, and sermons" (voluntary, market based, and command and control) that drive change.

Key takeaway? Success isn't just about technical regulations it’s about managing "street-level" dynamics and fostering human cooperation.

Sustainability in Practice

Theory met reality through some incredible site visits:

- Industrial Ecology: Seeing the world-renowned Kalundborg Symbiosis.
- Corporate Impact: Studying sustainability at the Carlsberg Brewery.
- Modern Waste: Scaling the heights of the Amager Resource Centre.
- Urban Restoration: Exploring the Aarhus Å project, where reopened city streams provide both beauty and flood protection.

Deep Dives & Data

From tracking the 40-year evolution of wastewater strategy to mastering mapping via advanced geophysical methods ( ), the technical rigor was unmatched. Also tackled, are the complexities of carbon markets and Logical Framework Analysis for large-scale reforestation.

The Power of Visuals

The program wrapped with “Simple Draw” a methodology designed to translate complex technical action plans into visual narratives. If the vision can’t be communicated to the community, it can't be implemented.

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Trees are a cornerstone of Nature-based Solutions, acting as natural infrastructure that regulates the hydrological cycle by slowing down surface runoff and maximizing groundwater recharge. To leverage these natural processes, RCGW has collaborated with Olaimutiai Girls Secondary School in County to implement a sustainable landscape approach to water security by planting trees.

This initiative embodies the Centre’s mandate to foster strategic collaborations between the public and private sectors for the holistic development of resources. Beyond the physical planting, the project serves as a platform for civic education, using interactive sessions to transform students into the next generation of environmental stewards.

By integrating Nature-based Solutions with modern infrastructure, RCGW is addressing immediate water needs while securing long-term availability. The Centre donated a water tank, gutters that will be used for water harvesting and 2,500 tree seedlings. We extend our deepest gratitude to the local leadership for their commitment to this green initiative: Area Chief Siameto Kilusu, Board Chairperson Amos Motompa and School Principal Tabitha Ololchoki.

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RCGW Service Delivery Charter presented in Sign Language. | Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education Training and Research (RCGW) RCGW Service Delivery Charter presented in Sign Language.

The Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources ( ) in partnership with Kenya Water Institute ( ) has commenced a short course on Borehole Drilling Operations & Sustainable Aquifer Management that will run from 13th to 24th April 2026 at Kitui County Campus. The main objective of the training is to build capacity of professionals supporting the water sector in the development and sustenance of resources. This is one of the capacity building initiatives supported under the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience ( ) Project and coordinated by the RCGW to bridge theory and field practice for the professionals serving in the water sector. The participants have been drawn from five counties that is; Marsabit County, Turkana County, Wajir County, Garissa County and Mandera County and the HoAGW4R Project implementing agencies including the Ministry Of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources (RCGW), Water Resources Authority and Water Sector Trust Fund - WSTF

The course targets to engage the participants on several aspects of borehole drilling including but not limited to; drilling methods, electro‑mechanics in drilling, borehole designs, water quality analysis, health & safety issues, and other borehole services such as monitoring, maintenance, rehabilitation, and decommissioning. Participants will also gain more knowledge on aquifer sustainability and management strategies, groundwater extraction control, recharge enhancement, water quality protection, surface‑groundwater governance issues, among other topics.

The goal of this training collaboration between RCGW and KEWI is to provide water experts with safe, scientific, and efficient drilling and maintenance techniques in order to improve local technical capability and lower borehole failure rates. In Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands ( ), it also seeks to advance long-term groundwater security, climate resilience, and sustainable aquifer management.