The Upper Tana Bamboo Project

The Upper Tana Bamboo Project
The Upper Tana River catchment basin, covering approximately 17,000 km² and home to 5.3 million people, is the lifeline for Kenya’s economic prosperity. It supplies water to Nairobi, providing 95% of the city’s water and powering over 50% of Kenya’s hydropower generation. However, the basin faces significant environmental challenges. Rising sedimentation levels in reservoirs, such as the Masinga Reservoir, have severely compromised the storage capacity, undermining the reliability of hydropower production. The Masinga reservoir alone has lost 10% of its capacity due to sedimentation, with a siltation rate now nearly double its designed capacity.
This sedimentation crisis, compounded by poor land and water management practices, threatens the sustainability of Kenya’s energy supply, local agriculture, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Despite its critical importance, the Upper Tana River basin lacks sufficient protection, and local farmers in the upper watershed do not have the necessary support to mitigate soil erosion or adopt sustainable land management practices. Immediate intervention is required to restore the health of the catchment area to ensure a sustainable water supply, protect biodiversity, and secure KenGen’s operational sustainability.

Project Description
The Tana River Basin Conservation Project, specifically the Upper Tana Bamboo Project, aims to address the challenges of sedimentation and land degradation through the restoration of riparian lands using bamboo. Bamboo is an effective natural solution for soil erosion control, sediment retention, and habitat restoration. The project will strategically plant bamboo along the 1000 km of the Tana River’s riparian zones, starting with the Upper Tana. This initiative will reduce sedimentation in key reservoirs, enhance water quality, and protect local biodiversity. Additionally, it will provide economic opportunities for communities living along the river through sustainable land management and bamboo cultivation.

This project aligns with KenGen’s vision to generate clean, renewable energy and contribute to the country’s economic development, while advancing environmental sustainability. By restoring the catchment area, the project will enhance the quality and quantity of water flowing into KenGen’s hydroelectric dams, ensuring a steady, clean energy supply.

Project Objectives

• Enhance water quality and quantity: Improve the flow of clean water into KenGen’s hydroelectric dams for more reliable and affordable energy production.
• Reduce sedimentation: Mitigate sediment deposition in key reservoirs, ensuring sustained operational efficiency.
• Improve local livelihoods: Increase incomes and food security for communities through the establishment of bamboo plantations and sustainable land management practices.
• Promote environmental sustainability: Restore riparian habitats, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to Kenya’s climate action goals.

Community Needs Assessment
The Upper Tana River catchment is a densely populated and environmentally fragile area where the livelihoods of millions depend on the river’s water and natural resources. Rural communities face significant challenges related to land degradation, poor agricultural yields, and limited access to financial resources for sustainable development. There is an urgent need to integrate sustainable farming practices and ecosystem management to restore the health of the watershed and secure a future of clean water and energy for these communities. The project will directly address these needs by providing local farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources to adopt bamboo cultivation and better land management practices. This will not only rehabilitate the riverine ecosystem but also provide alternative, sustainable livelihoods.

Expected Changes
The project will lead to several positive changes:

• Enhanced Water Quality: Improved sediment management will restore reservoir capacity, ensuring consistent hydropower generation.
• Reduced Sedimentation: Bamboo will stabilize riverbanks and reduce soil erosion, preventing further sedimentation.
• Increased Livelihoods: Bamboo farming will create new economic opportunities for local communities, increasing incomes and food security.
• Improved Ecosystem Health: Riparian restoration will foster biodiversity, stabilize riverbanks, and improve local environmental conditions.
• Community Empowerment: Local communities will gain knowledge and capacity for sustainable land management, contributing to long-term ecological and economic resilience.

Expected Benefits to Kenya’s Renewable Energy Sustainability
Kenya stands to benefit significantly from the Tana River Basin Conservation Project. The restoration of the catchment area will help:

• Enhance Hydropower Efficiency: Improved water quality and reduced sedimentation will optimize dam storage capacity, leading to more consistent energy generation.
• Reduce Operational Costs: By mitigating sedimentation, the company can reduce the frequency and cost of costly dam desilting operations.
• Support Sustainable Energy Goals: The project aligns with KenGen’s commitment to achieving a 100% clean energy future by 2030, reinforcing its role as a leader in renewable energy.
• Foster Community Relationships: By supporting local communities and contributing to their well-being, KenGen can strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts and enhance its public image.

Partner With Us
Partnering with the KenGen Foundation on the Upper Tana Bamboo Project offers the opportunity to:
Contribute to Environmental Restoration: Direct involvement in the rehabilitation of critical riparian ecosystems, helping to restore and protect Kenya’s water towers and natural habitats.

• Support National Climate Action Goals: Assist in Kenya’s ambitious 15-billion-tree initiative, promoting biodiversity and mitigating the effects of climate change.
• Foster Economic Growth: Support sustainable livelihoods through the development of commercial bamboo plantations, which can create jobs and generate income for local communities.
• Enhance Corporate Reputation: Demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship, climate action, and sustainable development, fostering positive brand visibility.
• Make a Lasting Impact: Be part of a transformative, long-term project that will benefit millions of people, contribute to Kenya’s energy security, and promote a greener future.

The KenGen Foundation seeks strategic partners to join us in this transformative project. We invite you to become part of this groundbreaking initiative by establishing an offtake Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or a commercial entity to propagate, plant, and manage bamboo seedlings along the Tana River. This collaboration will span ten years (2025–2035), covering 100 km of river frontage per year, starting with the Upper Tana. Together, we will plant 1.5 million bamboo seedlings, benefiting over 2.6 million people, covering 3000 hectares, and contributing significantly to Kenya’s ecological and economic future.

Partner with us to make a meaningful impact and help shape a sustainable, prosperous future for Kenya and the communities along the Tana River.