“Where the power flows” Exploration of power relations amongst actors in the water management of the Rift Valley Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract: The research aimed to provide answer as to how power dynamics of the various actors influence the water management of the Rift Valley Basin. The overall aim is met through answering in what way do: 1) private sector, 2) smallholders, and 3) government officials play a role in the water management of the Rift Valley Basin?” and utilising the analytical power of concepts such as institutional bricolage, structural power and boundary organisations, all under the umbrella of a political ecology study. By analysing two districts in the regional state of Oromiya, it has utilised a case study and constructivist approach. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews as well as desk reviews. The main findings are: first, through institutional bricolage it is evident that differences in scale and levels contribute to differing worldviews between actors. Second, knowledge-creation is shaped by economic-political interests in the Basin as analysed in boundary organisation concept. Lastly, it can be concluded that smallholders are the least to influence, whereas similarities in interests between the government and the private sector make the maintenance of power easier through controlled participation and knowledge dissemination to other actors.