Elizabeth Diego

Assistant Manager Community Engagement

Water Resources Authority

diegoelizabeth137@gmail.com

As head of County and Community Engagement Division at the Water Resources Authority state agency in Kenya. Mrs Elizabeth Diego-Lusimba is in charge of coordinating community based environmental management projects, implemented through Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs) countrywide. Elizabeth is a seasoned Community/Social development expert with a wealth of experience on matters project management, water resources, environment and natural resource management. She has over 10 years’ experience in the field of community engagement design, planning and implementation of various projects geared towards conservation of water resources, social development and livelihood enhancement. In her professional career, she has undertaken various water, environment and natural resource conservation courses in Japan, Netherlands, Israel which has enhanced her skills, competencies and rendered her a resourceful person in her profession. Her passion is for community livelihood enhancement through conservation is unrivalled with her vital role in translating science into simple language for communities to implement. This has enhanced community’s resilience to climate change, water resources, environment protection and management that contributes to improved livelihoods.

Focusing on the Arid lands in the North and North Eastern parts of Kenya to enhance participation of women and girls in water resources management in their unique conservation efforts through beading for fodder as part of conservation. The projects are geared towards enhancing change in policy to influence market-based tools in each unique catchment areas in Kenya. This would be in the two-tier government of national and county working with Water Resource Users Associations and other conservation groups across the various parts of the country.

Beading for conservation peace and livelihood

Engaging young girls and women faced with conflicts, domestic violence, forced early marriages, female genital mutilation and those already married with no income. To empower them through training with beading skills. The income obtained shall be used for knowledge and conservation activities. Expected results are empowered women and young girls among the Masai, Samburu, Rendile, Pokot, cultural peace among the communities, improved livelihood and improved sanitation. A percentage income from the beading project will be ploughed back into various conservation projects such as women growing pasture for fodder and conservation. Lobbying counties for policy for beading culture linked to conservation , peace and livelihood.

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