Publications
Five decades of research shaping dryland policy and practice
The archive
From field reports to peer-reviewed journals - five decades of dryland knowledge.
CETRAD's research record spans water resources, land use, livelihoods, climate adaptation, and ecosystem management across the Ewaso Ng'iro basin and Kenya's broader ASAL region. The earliest Laikipia Reports date to 1985. The most recent peer-reviewed work was published in 2023. The full archive is held across three repositories.
70+
publications in total
5
series and collection types
1985
first Laikipia Report published
1,900+
citations on ResearchGate
Key Publications
Gambella Wetland Restoration: Community-Based Approaches to Springs Stewardship
CETRAD / Wyss Academy - Report
Documents the methodology and outcomes of the Gambella Wetland restoration project, including the planting of 6,000+ native trees, revival of two dried springs, and the establishment of a community stewardship model that was officially handed over to local governance.
GIS Capacity Building for KCEP-CRAL: Training 221 Officers Across 8 Counties
CETRAD / IFAD - Technical Report
Details the methodology for establishing 17 GIS units across 8 Kenyan counties, training 73 government officers in GIS/remote sensing and 221 in smartphone-based data collection for agricultural and environmental monitoring.
Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin
CETRAD Research - Research Paper
Presents an integrated analysis of water, energy, and food system interactions in the upper Ewaso Ng'iro basin using LEAP and WEAP modelling tools, providing actionable policy recommendations for county governments on resource allocation.
Hotspots of Water Scarcity and Conflicts in the Ewaso Ng'iro North Basin
CETRAD Research - Report
Establishes baseline environmental flow requirements for the Ewaso Ng'iro River using 50 years of continuous hydrological data, mapping hotspots of water scarcity and conflict across the basin.
Access publication →Invasive Species Management in Laikipia: Opuntia and Prosopis
CETRAD Research - Research Paper
Assesses the spread and impact of Opuntia and Prosopis invasive species in Laikipia County, evaluating management strategies including mechanical clearing, community-based monitoring, and the Isiolo Prosopis County Management Plan.
Springs of the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro: Inventory and Conservation Status
CETRAD Research - Report
Comprehensive inventory of natural springs across the upper Ewaso Ng'iro basin, mapping their location, flow rates, water quality, and conservation status. Provides the baseline data that informed the Springs Stewardship Programme.
Integrated Water Resources Management with Gender Perspective
CETRAD Research - Policy Brief
Analyzes gender disparities in water access and governance within ASAL communities, demonstrating that women manage 70-80% of household water collection but hold less than 20% of decision-making positions in Water Resource Users Associations.
Kenya Atlas: Mapping Natural Resources for Sustainable Development
CETRAD / CDE - Atlas
Major cartographic publication providing comprehensive geospatial visualization of Kenya's natural resources, land use patterns, and socioeconomic indicators. Used by county governments and development agencies for spatial planning.
Access publication →Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Published in Mountain Research and Development, Climatic Change, Agriculture, and other journals
Shaping Sustainable Socio-Ecological Landscapes in Africa: The Role of Transformative Research, Knowledge, and Partnerships
Providoli I., Zeleke G., Kiteme B., Bantider A., Mwangi J.
Read on publisher site →Beef Production in the Rangelands: A Comparative Assessment between Pastoralism and Large-Scale Ranching in Laikipia County, Kenya
Mwangi J., Owuor B., Kiteme B., Giger M.
Comparative analysis of pastoralist vs. large-scale ranching beef production systems in Laikipia, published in Agriculture.
Read on publisher site →The Impact of Commercial Horticulture on River Water Resources in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro River Basin, Kenya
Lanari N., Liniger H., Kiteme B.
Quantifies the impact of commercial horticulture expansion on river flows in the upper Ewaso Ng'iro basin. Published in Mountain Research and Development.
Read on publisher site →Indigenous Knowledge Related to Climate Variability and Change: Insights from Droughts in Semi-Arid Areas of Former Makueni District, Kenya
Ifejika Speranza C., Kiteme B., Ambenje P., Wiesmann U., Makali S.
Documents how indigenous knowledge informs climate adaptation strategies in semi-arid Kenya. Published in Climatic Change.
Read on publisher site →Assessing and Managing Scarce Tropical Mountain Water Resources: The Case of Mount Kenya and the Semi-Arid Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin
Liniger H., Gikonyo J., Kiteme B., Wiesmann U.
Framework for integrated water resource management in tropical mountain systems. Published in Mountain Research and Development.
Read on publisher site →Preventing and Resolving Water Use Conflicts in the Mount Kenya Highland-Lowland System through Water Users' Associations
Kiteme B., Gikonyo J.
Pioneering research on Water Resource Users Associations as conflict resolution mechanisms. Published in Mountain Research and Development.
Read on publisher site →Mitigating Conflicts Over Scarce Water Resources in the Highland-Lowland System of Mount Kenya
Wiesmann U., Gichuki F., Kiteme B., Liniger H.
Foundational analysis of water conflicts between highland and lowland communities. Published in Mountain Research and Development.
Read on publisher site →Find Our Research Online
Geographica Bernensia Series
Major monographs published through the University of Bern's geographic research series
Mount Kenya Area: Contributions to Ecology and Socio-Economy
Winiger M. (ed.)
Hydrogeographical Map of Mount Kenya Area 1:50,000
Leibundgut Ch.
Land Use in Transition: Aspects and Problems of Small Scale Farming in a New Environment
Kohler T.
Foundational study documenting the transition of land use patterns in Laikipia District as smallholder farmers settled in formerly ranching areas, analyzing the challenges and adaptation strategies in semi-arid conditions.
Mount Kenya Area: Differentiation and Dynamics of a Tropical Mountain System
Winiger M., Wiesmann U., Rheker J.R. (eds.)
Hydrogeographical Investigations in the Mount Kenya Subcatchment of the River Ewaso Ng'iro
Decurtins S.
Pioneering hydrological study that established the baseline flow data for the Ewaso Ng'iro basin, forming the foundation of what would become CETRAD's 50-year continuous dataset.
Sustainable Regional Development in Rural Africa: Conceptual Framework and Case Studies from Kenya
Wiesmann U.
Defines the conceptual framework for sustainable development in African drylands that continues to underpin CETRAD's research approach. Uses Laikipia case studies to demonstrate how highland-lowland interactions shape regional development.
Laikipia Reports Series
Field reports from the Laikipia Research Programme and early CETRAD research
The use of Isotopes, Hydrochemistry and Geophysics in Groundwater Research in Laikipia District, Kenya
Schotter U., Mueller I.
West Laikipia Report on Small-Scale Farming and How it Could be Assisted in Development
Kohler T.
Resources of River in Eastern Laikipia: River Water Potential and Rural Water Supply
Decurtins S., Leibundgut C., Wetzel K.
Bibliography of East African Mountains
Rhecker J.R., Taiti S.W., Winiger M.
The Population Situation in Kenya: An Overview, and the Effects of Population Growth on the Environment
Ayiemba E.H.
Urban Agriculture in the Third World: A Study of Nairobi and Its Environs
Obara D.A.
Forest Management and Timber Industry at Mount Kenya
Rhecker J.R.
A GIS Database Design for District and Rural Development Planning in Laikipia District
Hoesli T., Klingl T.
Land Use Change Scenarios for Subdivided Ranches in Laikipia District
Hubner M., Opondo C.J. (eds.)
Discussion Papers
Research contributions on water resources, land use, livelihoods, and governance
Socioeconomic Stratification and Small Stock Production in Mukogodo Division
Herren U.J.
Strategy for Water Conservation in Laikipia District
Kithinji G.R.M., Liniger H.
The Vegetation of Laikipia District, Kenya
Taiti S.W.
Comprehensive vegetation survey and classification of Laikipia District, providing the baseline ecological data for land use planning and conservation across the district.
Water and Soil Resource Conservation and Utilization on the North West Side of Mt. Kenya
Liniger H.
Establishes the relationship between upstream water management and downstream availability in the Mt. Kenya ecosystem, demonstrating the critical role of soil conservation in sustaining water flows to semi-arid lowlands.
The Potential of Small Scale Enterprises in West Laikipia
Kiteme B.P.
Early research by CETRAD's current director on non-farm economic opportunities in ASAL areas, demonstrating the potential for diversified livelihoods beyond pastoralism and small-scale farming.
Development of Streamflow Model for Rural Catchments in Kenya
Thomas M.K.
Smallholders in Laikipia District: Land Use Systems and Perceptions of Water Conservation and Agroforestry
Bachmann F.
A Concept of Sustainable Use and Its Implications for Research in a Dynamic Regional Context
Wiesmann U.
Social Network Ties and Informal Leadership Structure in Central Division of Laikipia District
Muhombe C.
Gender Roles and Equity in Livestock Production among Immigrant Smallholder Farmers in Laikipia
Opondo J.C., Wembah-Rashid J.A.R.
Theses & Research Data
Water Supply Systems in Small Scale Farms and Pastoralist Areas of Laikipia District
Wiesmann U. - MSc Thesis
Rainfall Data: Additional Stations of Good Quality in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin
Thomas M.K., Liniger H. - Research Data
Preliminary Soil Conditions of Ngenia, Rumuruti, Mukogondo, and Sirima Catchment Sites
Mainga P.M., Wanjogu S.N., Mbuvi J.P. - Research Data
A Feasibility Study on the Storage of Flood-flow in the Laikipia District
Kivumbi D. - MSc Thesis
Runoff and Soil Loss in Mukogodo: Implications for the Rehabilitation of Denuded Semi-Arid Lands
Mutunga C.N., Thomas D.B., Liniger H. - Research Paper
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