About

Dr. Matano is an experienced environmental scientist with over 30 years of expertise in shared aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem conservation, climate change, and natural resource management. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science, a postgraduate diploma in Environmental Law and Policy, an MSc in Resource Management (Natural and Human Resources), and a BSc in Forestry (including Agroforestry). His extensive qualifications underpin a strong foundation in institutional, policy, and strategic leadership aimed at the sustainable management of natural resources. Expertise Highlights • Sustainable Resource Management: Proven track record in sustainably managing natural resources and promoting cooperative transboundary ecosystem management across multiple regions. • Blue Economy Proficiency: In-depth knowledge and implementation of blue economy principles, focusing on sustainable practices that support economic growth while preserving aquatic environments. • Resource Mobilization: Skilled in securing funding for nature-based conservation initiatives, having successfully mobilized over USD 500 million from development partners for various projects in the Lake Victoria Basin. • Extensive Research Background: Conducted significant research on aquatic and land-based ecosystems, particularly in the Lake Victoria and Mara River regions, contributing to the understanding and management of these critical ecosystems. • Leadership Roles: Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Health, Environment and Water Services (ACHEWS) and as an Advisor on Blue Economy for the FCDO Kenya Devolution Program. He is the immediate former Executive Director of the East African Community Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and has acted as Team Leader for 11 international development projects. Management and Coordination Skills • Policy Development: Excellent skill set in formulating and developing public policies, coordinating public programs, and conducting managerial activities within public organizations. • Project Planning and Implementation: Strong expertise in designing, planning, and implementing project activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. • Organizational Leadership: Proven ability to coordinate and manage various departments, directing operational procedures to minimize risks and enhance management controls within the organization.

Experience

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Responsibilities:
  • Promoting quality capacity building among development professionals, communities, Civil Society Organizations, Governmental/Inter-Governmental Organization and the private sector.
  • ▪ Conducting research, training/institutional capacity development and management consultancy and advisory services in health, natural resources management, agroforestry, environment management, water resource management, blue economy and climate change inter alia.
  • ▪ Providing both policy and strategic leadership to experts
  • ▪ Coordinating partnerships and building networks for the firm;
  • ▪ Leading and championing resource mobilization initiatives;
  • ▪ Coordinating outreach programmes; and
  • ▪ Convening Board of Directors meetings for reporting progress and status of implementation of decisions and recommendations.
  • Achievements:
  • ▪ Improved productivity and service delivery by putting together a team of renowned experts in integrated water/natural resources management, population-health and environment (PHE), blue/green economy, Climate Smart Agriculture, Climate Change adaptation and Resilience building, institutional capacity building and development, international water cooperation and environmental law and policy;
  • ▪ Spearheaded strategic growth for private and public sector players, civil society organizations, community groups, youth and women groups through robust and rigorous capacity building program aimed at adoption of innovative and nature based solutions;
  • ▪ Built a strong working partnership with universities, research institutions, specialized national and regional organizations which has enabled user friendly and adaptive trainings on the following themes: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), landscape restoration through payment for ecosystems services/Participatory forestry, research – policy nexus, resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP) technologies, Blue Economy, Climate Change Adaptation and Climate proofing;
  • ▪ Improved environmental compliance and performance of several public and private projects and programs through strict environmental impact assessments and audits.

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Responsibilities:
  • ▪ Provide strategic guidance and leadership in the development and implementation of the Commissions projects and programs in line with the requisite Strategic Plan and the Protocol on Sustainable Development of Lake Victoria Basin.
  • ▪ Day to day running of the Commission’s operations, projects and programs in line with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission Strategic Plan’s overall six program areas and targets set out in the Annual Operational Plan;
  • ▪ Coordinate the implementation of Directives and Decisions of the Council of Ministers as well the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin (equivalent to the Board) on all matters relating to the management and development of resources within Lake Victoria Basin;
  • ▪ Spearhead resource mobilization initiatives in the EAC Partner States and Development Partners to support the Commission’s operations, projects and programs;
  • ▪ Regularly advise the Secretary General on key issues relating to sustainable management and development of resources within the Lake Victoria Basin in Rwanda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda;
  • ▪ Ensure strict adherence the EAC financial rules and regulation in the utilization of the Commission’s resources by timely preparation and presentation of the Annual Financial Statement to the East African Audit Commission in addition to strengthening the internal audit functionalities;
  • ▪ Develop and harmonize sound regional laws, policies and regulations that facilitate sustainable management and development of natural resources within the transboundary Lake Victoria Basin;
  • ▪ Provide the Secretariat for the Council of Ministers where the implementation of the Council of Ministers Directives and Decision is coordinated from including convening of the meetings of the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin;
  • ▪ Convene regular stakeholders strategic dialogue forum to maintain strong linkages and partnership with local, regional and international actors (state and non-state) in the areas of sustainable development;
  • ▪ Build and maintain working relationships with EAC organs (Secretariat, the Court and the Assembly) as well as other sister institutions;
  • ▪ Maintain and develop a team of motivated workforce and optimize the use of diverse expertise within the Commission;
  • ▪ Convene meetings and forums to address and share information regarding the status of the LVB;
  • ▪ Represent the Commission in international forums such as the Conference of Parties, the World Water Week inter alia; and mobilization of resources for the implementation of various sectoral projects and programmes within the LVB.
  • ▪ Convene the Sectoral Council of Ministers for LVB.
  • ▪ Participate in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) during the legislation of matters related to sustainable development of the LVB (these may include enactment of legislation and harmonization of regional policies).
  • ▪ Any other tasks or duty that may have been delegated by the EAC Council of Ministers.
  • Key Achievements:
  • ▪ Guided the identification of the Strategic Intervention Areas for the LVBC in the 6th EAC development Strategy (2016 – 2026) and thereafter coordinated the development of the 4th LVBC Strategic Plan (2021 – 2026).
  • ▪ Advocated for LVBC’s interests/needs during the EAC institutional review and workload analysis study that was conducted by the EAC Ad hoc Service Commission.
  • ▪ Coordinated the enactment of the LVBC Act (2020) by the East African Legislative Assembly.
  • ▪ Spearheaded the mobilization of USD 4.35 Million from the EAC Partner States for the construction of the LVBC Headquarters in Kisumu, Kenya.
  • ▪ Supervised the preparation (through support from AWF), implementation and completion of the USD 120M AfDB grant supported Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation program II (LVWATSAN II).
  • ▪ Coordinated the implementation and supervised the completion of the USD 254M World Bank credit/grant financed Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project II (LVEMP II).
  • ▪ Developed jointly with UN Environment the USD 5M Adaptation to Climate Change in LVB project which was financed by the Adaptation Fund – the project is ongoing;
  • ▪ Led the successful negotiations and subsequent initial support by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW and the European Union for the Euro 40 Million for the Integrated Water Resources Management for LVB program. The project was launched early 2020 and is currently under implementation.
  • ▪ Before the end of my tenure, I initiated and led negotiating with KfW for a Euro 50 M grant for promoting Regional Economic Integration through trade in the LVB.
  • ▪ Led the negotiations and subsequently signed for a grant of USD 700,000 with the World Bank to support water quality and policy formulation of water quality in Lake Victoria under the Nile Cooperative Climate Resilience program (NCCR.
  • ▪ Guided the development and submission of a USD 1.2 Million project proposal on population health and environment to the USAD/KEA. Before the end of my tenure, the proposal had been positively considered and was awaiting for the signing of the Implementation Letter (IL) between USAID Mission Director and the Secretary General EAC.
  • ▪ Supervised the successful implementation of the Nordic Development Funded USD 3.2 M grant for Enhancing Private Sector Engagement in Green Growth project in the five EAC riparian states of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
  • ▪ Led the discussions on the finalization of the USD 35M loan AfDB funded Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport Project Mid-Term Review.
  • ▪ Led and coordinated the negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Republic of Tanzania and Republic of Kenya on joint management of water resources in the Mara River Basin. The MoU was subsequently signed in September 2018 and is currently being executed.
  • ▪ Assessed and reviewed, together with Prof William McClain and others, the role of data and models in transboundary water governance under the title “Successes and challenges in using data collection to build trust and ownership in transboundary water allocation planning”: A case study from the Mara River Basin. This was subsequently published as a Special issue in Water International

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Duties and Responsibilities
  • o Working with communities and building partnership with development partners (UNEP, ICRAF, UNESCO, FAO, WWF) in environmental conservation;
  • o Carrying out natural resources inventory in collaboration with other project implementers;
  • o Monitoring environmental variables of the project area and helping to build database on natural resources in the area;
  • o Coordinating all off farm soil and water conservation activities;
  • o Coordination of environmental and social impact assessment;
  • o Developing in liaison with the officer responsible for M&E a system of monitoring and evaluation of project supported and environmental related activities;
  • o Responsible for timely production of project reports for the component;
  • o Promoting energy saving technologies;
  • o Initiating participatory management schemes by communities;
  • o Project logistics and procurement coordinator.
  • Achievements
  • Established partnership with development partners (UNEP, ICRAF, UNESCO, FAO, WWF) in environmental management within and outside protected areas;
  • Facilitated the development of a comprehensive inventory of natural resources within and outside the protected areas in Mt Kenya;
  • Supported the development of District Status of Environment reports which were later used to integrate environment management into other sectors;
  • Developed a participatory approach “adopt a tree” that enabled planting of more than 5 million seedlings within and outside the protected area.
  • Established and promoted school greening program in over 25 schools in the eastern part of Mt Kenya under the IFAD/GEF environmental conservation programme

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Responsibilities:
  • ▪ Assisting the Deputy Executive Secretary (Projects and Programmes) in policy guidance at various stages of projects and programmes development and implementation.
  • ▪ Collating and reviewing thematic reports from cross cutting studies and projects undertaken by different actors (state and non-state) LVB.
  • ▪ Guiding the process of identification and development of sectoral projects and programmes from the shared vision and strategy framework for management and development of LVB.
  • ▪ Liaising with the Basin’s principal stakeholders (private sector, CSOs, NGOs, Government Institution and Agencies) in resource mobilization and partnerships in identification, appraisal and preparation of sectoral projects and programmes;
  • ▪ Liaising with stakeholders in preparation of memoranda and protocols to guide the implementation of the agreed plans in various stakeholders’ forums such as scientific, donors, policy and decision markers.
  • ▪ Developing joint projects and programmes with other departments at the EAC such as agriculture, natural resources and environment, climate change, fisheries and meteorology, energy and infrastructure.
  • ▪ Networking with Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations implementing projects in the LVB.
  • ▪ Developing an information database of all projects and programmes undertaken in the Basin.
  • ▪ Collaborating with the Inter-University Council of East Africa and other institutions of higher learning and research in developing demand driven research projects in the Basin.
  • ▪ Coordinating the implementation of the Councils Decisions related to projects and programmes on LVB.
  • ▪ Coordinated outreach programmes for the Commission’s projects and programmes.
  • ▪ Coordinating and supervising various demand driven studies taking place in the Lake and the Basin.
  • ▪ Monitoring and evaluating performance of projects and programmes implemented by LVBC and its stakeholder
  • Achievements:
  • Projects Developed
  • During my tenure as the Principal Programs Officer, coordinated and guided the development of the following projects/programs:
  • ▪ Mt Elgon Regional Conservation Project (An ecosystem program in Kenya and Uganda) budgeted at USD 6.7M with support sought from Norwegian Aid for Development (NORAD);
  • ▪ Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (An environmental programme in Burundi, Kehnya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) budgeted at USD 254M with support expects from the World Bank, GEF and Sweden/Sida;
  • ▪ Lake Victoria Water Supply and Sanitation (preparation and implementation of LVWATSAN) covering Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda budgeted at USD 120M sought as a grant from the African Development Bank;
  • ▪ Population, Health and Environment (PHE) (An inter-sectoral program in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) budgeted at USD 7M sought as a grant from the USAID/KEA;
  • ▪ Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development (A biodiversity, WASH and Climate Change program in the 5 EAC Partner States budget at USD 6.7M for the Natural Capital and Biodiversity conservation component sought from USAID/KEA as a grant;
  • ▪ Integrated Water Resources Management Program initially budgeted at Eur 20M sought as a grant from BMZ/KfW and the European Union;
  • ▪ Adaptation to Climate Change in Lake Victoria Basin budgeted at USD 5M sought as a grant from the Adaptation Fun;
  • ▪ Enhancing Private Sector Engagement in Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Technologies budgeted at USD 3.2M and sought from Nordic Development Fund as a grant.
  • Key Achievements:
  • ▪ Led mobilization of over USD 400 million through development of joint sectoral several projects and programmes to assist in the attainment of the Commission’s goal of promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB.
  • ▪ Developed over 40 Project Concept Notes (PCN) that have been used by the Commission and Partners to raise funds by developing them into full project proposals.
  • ▪ Created a platform that facilitated partnership with private sector/ stakeholders, scientists and donors mainly for information exchange and sharing of knowledge on various themes and mobilizing financial and technical resources for supporting various priority initiatives in the LVB.
  • ▪ Coordinated and supervised conducting of studies and research that have contributed significantly in informing policies for trans-boundary management of natural resources in Lake Victoria Basin such as:
  • − Studies on identification and mapping of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in Lake Victoria.
  • − Studies on vulnerability assessment to climate change risks in Lake Victoria.
  • − Studies on succession dynamics of water hyacinth in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria.
  • − Studies on aquatic biodiversity and meta-database in Lake Victoria.
  • − Studies on the impacts of Mbita causeway on water quality in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya.
  • − Studies on Integrated Water Resources Management in Mara River Basin.
  • − Studies on Succession and dynamics of water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria
  • − Studies on socio-economic losses arising from non-compliance to Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in East African Partner States.
  • − Studies on trade data analysis in Lake Victoria.
  • ▪ Developed trans-boundary management policy frameworks that have assisted in the joint management of the Mara River Basin, Lake Chala-Jipe Umba River ecosystems (Kenya and Tanzania) and Mount Elgon Ecosystems; including the development of the new water release and abstraction policy for Lake Victoria Basin. The Policy framework facilitates equitable and reasonable use of the water resources in the Lake Victoria and has already been adopted for implementation by the Council of Ministers;
  • ▪ Supervised and guided the development of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lake Victoria Basin Commission strategic plans;
  • ▪ Established and spearheaded the Donors)/Partner States Strategic dialogue forum where development partners articulate their strategic priorities and funding environment to the EAC Partner States;
  • ▪ Supervised and coordinated the development of the Result Based Management System, Automated Financial Management and Audit Systems and Budget Management System which have ensured that the human, financial and material resources received from development partners and EAC Partner States are effectively and efficiently managed to deliver the intended outcomes.

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Responsibilities
  • o Preparation of the Component’s annual work plan and budget (IDA and GEF), quarterly reports and project progress reports.
  • o Control and maintenance of the component’s financial accounting system and accounts documents according to GEF (grant) and/or IDA (credit) and the Government of Kenya guidelines;
  • o Monitoring and evaluating of the project’s performance based on the World Bank’s M&E guidelines;
  • o Managing of the Component staff and conducting annual staff appraisal;
  • o Organizing for training needs assessment and subsequent capacity building activities relating to LVEMP for the staff and target communities;
  • o Facilitating community based groups identify, formulate, design, implement and monitor micro project;
  • o Integrating gender into project planning and implementation process; and representing the Component in all project meetings, conferences and forum nationally and regionally
  • Key Achievements:
  • Reporting to the National Executive Secretary, I was responsible for successful implementation of the Catchment/Forestry Management Component in line with the relevant forestry, water resources and agriculture policies. The project component covered north rift districts, western and nyanza provinces. The following were some of the achievement that I made during my tenure:
  • ● Improved the upper catchment areas for rivers Nzoia, Yala, Sondu, Migori and Mara by rehabilitated more than 10,000ha of their degraded catchment in gazetted forests and outside gazetted forests;
  • ● Build the capacity of communities to produce quality tree seedling by supporting over 80 community tree nursery within the project district sites with an annual production capacity to over 2 million seedlings;
  • ● Improved hilltop tree cover by planting of trees on six hills in Uasin Gishu (1), Nandi (2), Bungoma (1), Siaya (1) and Homabay (1) which effectively reduced runoff/erosion and landslides, increased stream flows and biodiversity;
  • ● Created awareness and sensitized communities on the importance of sustained conservation initiatives by establishing of over 130 community based champions that continued to spearhead catchment conservation way after the project;
  • ● Improved water quality and quantity for communities by rehabilitating and protecting over 30 springs along major catchments/drainage basins for Lake Victoria;
  • ● Created mechanisms for identifying the priorities for communities in the Lake Victoria Basin by aligning community projects to the shared vision and strategy framework for the management and development of Lake Victoria Basin;
  • ● Exceeded annual target performance by preparing and implementing a SMART annual work plan and budget supported through IDA and GEF and within the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework approved by the Project Steering Committee;
  • ● Improved fiduciary systems by establishing strong internal control mechanisms and proper maintenance of the component’s financial accounting system and accounts documents according to GEF, IDA and the Government of Kenya financial management guidelines;
  • ● Improved staff motivation by conducting annual staff appraisal and training needs assessment which tease out issues and provide management recommendations that enhance staff development if implemented;
  • ● Improved community empowerment and public participation by facilitating community based groups identify, formulate, design, implement and monitor micro projects that were financed by the project; and
  • ● Enhanced gender participation and inclusivity by integrating gender into project planning and implementation process; and ensuring reasonable gender in all project meetings, conferences and forums nationally and regionally.

Dr. Ally-Said, MATANO

Work experience
  • Duties and Responsibilities
  • o Articulating and implementing the Government’s policy on sustainable forest resource management;
  • o In charge of management, protection and conservation of all forestry resources in the District;
  • o In charge of capacity building and development for the staff working for the Forestry Department in the District;
  • o Liaising and collaborating with other departmental heads, partners and NGOs in the implementation of Government programs in environmental management and conservation;
  • o Mobilizing the communities in sustainable use of forest resources in the district and conflict resolution;
  • o Responsible for all the finances for the district forestry activities;
  • o Development of operational forest management plans, strategic development plans and annual work plans for the District.
  • o Liaison with KEFRI on matters that require research inputs and guidance before decision making.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Reporting to the Chief Conservator of Forests, I was responsible for implementation of the Government of Kenya’s Policy on Forestry Resources management. The following are some of achievements made during my tenure:
  • ● Improved the success rate of implementation Government’s programs by introducing inter-sectoral collaboration with other departmental heads, partners and NGOs in environmental management and conservation initiatives;
  • ● Coordinated and supervised community mobilization and sensitization campaigns on sustainable use of forest resources which led to a notable reduction of conflicts;
  • ● Guided the restructuring of revenue collection under Appropriation in Aid (AIA) from grazing in the forest which led to increased revenue collection by the District Forestry Officer by close to 30%;
  • ● Coordinated surveying and demarcation of all gazette forests in Narok district leading to reduction of Border conflicts with neighboring communities;
  • ● Introduced first ever urban forestry program by planting aesthetic trees which led to the improvement of the general environment within Narok town;
  • ● Improved management of the trust land which was ordinarily not under the Forest Department when we entered into a formal partnership with Narok County Council on the management of forests in trust lands;
  • ● Introduced and operationalized a committee for licensing of tree harvesting in non-gazetted forests. These greatly improved sustainable harvesting on farm as well as reduced illegal logging.
  • ● Worked closely with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in information and data exchange on various silvicultural operations

Related persons

Stephen Manegene Environment & Natural Resources Mgt
Ramadhan Saidi