Degradation of sub catchments has been a major global challenge. Kenya has experienced a similar situation in spite of water sector reforms of 2002 that assigned every wetland to a sub catchment, separated water service delivery from water resources management and decentralized management of water resources. This study was carried out in Rwamuthambi sub catchment with an aim to assess the status of governance, effectiveness and challenges of WRUA committees and explore indicators and strategies involved for sustainable utilization that would curb experienced degradation even after the reforms. The study employed exploratory descriptive research design. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interview augmented by observations and review of secondary data. Data analyses was by Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) for ranking, t-test for ratings, Chi square, regression analysis and descriptive analysis using Stata and excel software. The results revealed that only 15% of WRUA committee members understood water resources management while 35% were aware of relevant legislations. The study found that 82% of the community members were involved in sub catchment utilization activities. In addition, degradation had no significant association with existence of WRUAs χ2 (4, N=180), p< .01, and WRUA contributions were perceived differently per agro-ecological zone χ2 (8, N=147), p>.05. The level of household incomes influenced level of sub catchment conservation and sensitization (p< 0.05), enforcement had a significant positive influence (p< 0.05) to the economy and environment components and community involvement and community initiative had a strong significant influence (p< 0.05) on utilization and sustainability. Further, there was significant agreement by the community regarding wetland government support services (W = 0.05, p<.05). Challenges unearthed included inadequate financial and human resources, lack of understanding, poor collaborative governance, inadequate support from county government and private tenure of v riparian land reserve. The study improved the framework to monitor and communicate the effects of sustainability indicators. It was recommended that for effective conservation of wetlands, WRUAs should embrace collaborative governance and pursue integration of sub catchment management plan with county land use plans through policy review. Further, since conservation was revealed as a function of utilization the study also recommended a systematic follow-up the tipping point of utilization-driven conservation.

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