2024/10/06 by Zablon, Kepha
paper · doi:10.48346/imist.prsm/ajlp-gs.v7i4.49898
Context and background A well-structured Institutional framework plays a pivotal role in spearheading the management of watersheds. Their collaboration with the community on natural resource conservation has been a great success in controlling watershed degradation. However, a knowledge gap on how they influence community participation on watershed management and conservation is still a gap. Goals and objectives Watershed institutional framework have been mandated the responsibility of management and coordination of conservation activities in the watersheds for sustainable development. By involving the community, capacity building trainings, technical assistance and community empowerment, participation towards watershed management is increased. The current study therefore examines the influence of Institutional framework for watershed management on community participation in upper Gucha, Kenya. Methodology Mapping and delineating the boundaries of the watershed was done using Google Earth map and ArcGIS software version 10.5. Descriptive survey design with a sample size of 354 household heads was used. Data was collected through questionnaires. Statistical analysis utilized mean, frequency, standard deviation, range and Spearman's correlation analysis. Data was presented using pie charts, bar graphs and tables. Results Findings revealed that, watershed management institutions had a low influence on community participation. This was contributed by their weak capacity in terms of technical staff and finance to facilitate watershed management programs and projects. Due to these challenges, the outcomes of watershed management programs held by the institutions were low and ineffective (M=2.1314, SD=0.66201). A positive correlation was however noted between community participation and the capacity of watershed management institutional framework (r=0.513, p=0.000). This implied that, if the institutions capacity is weak, community participation will be low consequently leading to increased degradation of the watershed. The study recommended strengthening of the institutional framework to enable them to effectively collaborate and engage all stakeholders including the community in conserving and managing watershed natural resources hence reducing degradation.