How a VSLA Group in Kamungi Conservancy is Enhancing Access to Clean Water
In 2020, Tsavo Trust, in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, established Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups in Kamungi Conservancy, on the northern boundary of Tsavo West National Park. These groups provide local communities with a platform to save money, access low-interest loans, and invest in ideas that strengthen livelihoods and build self-reliance.
One of these groups, Utonyi wa Kamungi, has taken this empowerment to the next level. In October 2024, the 14-member group created a simple yet transformative solution to a critical challenge: lack of clean and safe water. Their goal is to ensure every household receives a 5,000-litre water tank for rainwater harvesting.
Each member contributes KSh 1,000 every month to a group savings pool. Every three months, the pooled funds are used to buy a 5,000-litre rainwater harvesting tank for one household. This rotation will continue until all 14 households have their water tank. So far, five families have benefited, with the rest set to receive theirs within the next two years.
Photo 1: Jennifer Mua draws water from her 5,000-litre water tank in Kamungi Conservancy, July 2025
For beneficiaries like Jennifer Mua, the impact has been immediate and profound: “Before the water tank, I had to buy water for drinking and cooking, which was very costly and a huge burden,” she shares. “The water tank filled up during the November 2024 rains and has sustained my family of seven ever since.”
With two rainy seasons a year, these water tanks allow families to store enough clean water for drinking and cooking to last the entire year. This initiative is more than just about water storage; it’s about improving family health, reducing the financial burden of buying water, and significantly shortening the long distances women and children traditionally travel to fetch water.
Utonyi wa Kamungi’s story is one of innovation, ownership, and hope. It demonstrates that when local communities are empowered, they develop sustainable solutions that transform lives. This is just one example of how Tsavo Trust’s community-led conservation and development initiatives create lasting impact.
Photo 2: Utonyi wa Kamungi VSLA members hand over the fifth water tank to a household in August 2025
This local solution builds on Tsavo Trust’s wider water access initiatives across Kamungi Conservancy, a semi-arid region. To date, Tsavo Trust has provided 28 households with 3,000-litre water tanks, drilled a borehole, constructed a 100,000-litre concrete tank, and supplied six 10,000-litre tanks to schools and a dispensary.
You can help more families gain access to safe, reliable water. Partner with Tsavo Trust today to bring clean water and resilience to Kamungi Conservancy for generations to come.