Understanding Water Governance in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: Governance Framework, Coherence and Practices

Water governance demands multi-sector participation beyond the state; and, appropriate laws, policies, regulations, and institutions need to be developed and put in place for sustainable use of water resources. A good water policy, a critical and integral instrument of water governance, guides water use schemes and ensures equitable water distribution among users. The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley (CRV) is rich in water resources, but these water resources are currently under severe strain owing to an imbalance in human-water interactions. This study examined the state of water resources governance framework, policy coherence, actors' engagement and transparency, accountability, and participation in irrigation water supply in the CRV of Ethiopia. Key informant interviews (KII), focused group discussions, and document reviews were used to gather data for the study. The NVivo 11 program was used to organize, code, and analyze the data. The results revealed that water resources governance practices such as water allocation and apportionment, water resources protection, and conservation activities were inappropriately exercised. Water resources management policy mechanisms were not fully put in place. Lack of coherence in water policy implementation, absence of clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, absence of transparency and accountability in irrigation water service delivery, and lack of meaningful participation of key actors in water governance decision-making were observed. As a result, over-abstraction, deterioration of buffer zone areas, and chemical erosion from surrounding farming are attributed to the reduction in water volume and quality in the CRV. These challenges have influenced aquatic ecosystem services and threaten the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Hence, reforms relating to policy coherence and enforcement, stakeholder engagement, water distribution strategies, and the implementation of water governance principles must be given adequate emphasis.

Pesticide residue levels in vegetables and surface waters at the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia

Seven pesticides, profenofos, metalaxyl, λ-cyhalothrin, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, and α- and β-endosulfan, were determined in vegetables (tomato, onion) from 20 locations and surface waters from 12 locations in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) and solid phase extraction (SPE) methods were used for the vegetables and water, respectively. In 2.5% of the tomato samples, profenofos was detected above European maximum residue limits (MRLs), in 12.5% of the samples metalaxyl, and in 2.5% α- and β-endosulfan. In 5% of the onion samples, profenofos was detected above European MRLs, in 7.5% of the onion samples metalaxyl, and in 5% λ-cyhalothrin. In surface water, profenofos was detected at the highest concentration of 2300 μg/L in the Bulbula River, 890 μg/L near the agricultural land north of Lake Ziway (ANLZ-1), 1700 μg/L in the floriculture effluent (FE-1), and 900 μg/L in tap water at the Batu Drinking Water (BDW) supply. These results show that the levels of pesticides are in several cases substantially elevated, and emphasize the need of regular pesticide monitoring programs for surface waters and vegetables in the Ethiopian CRV.

Leishmaniasis recidivans by Leishmania tropica in Central Rift Valley Region in Kenya

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the endemic Leishmania species, the clinical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Central Rift Valley in Kenya and to give an account on unresponsiveness to treatment in the region.

METHODS

Participants were clinically identified and grouped into untreated, classical and recidivate based on clinical manifestation and clinical data. Leishmaniasis recidivans lesions were scaly hyperemic papules that appeared before the classic lesion had healed or after healing. The demographics and socio-economic data were recorded and lesion scraping samples screened through microscopy and Internal Transcribed Spacer 1-PCR. Leishmania species were identified using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism.

RESULTS

A total of 52 participants were sampled, of which, 44.2% of the cases were recidivate and L. tropica the only species identified. All patients had been treated using sodium stibogluconate (SSG) which is the recommended first-line drug in Kenya. 60% of the patients experienced prolonged exposure to the drug (>30 days).

CONCLUSION

L. tropica is the endemic Leishmania species for CL leading to classical and leishmaniasis recidivans. Treatment of CL in the area is not effective hence, alternative measures/therapy should be considered to cope with the unresponsiveness.