This paper aims at establishing the challenges faced by developing countries in implementing Integrated Water Resources Management Tool, by taking a study in Kuywa River basin. The study population consisted of 173 registered Kuywa Water Resources Users Association members, 8 chiefs, 15 Assistant Chiefs and 4 representatives of other government departments. This paper reveals that the challenges hindering implementation of the tool include: Poor stakeholder’s participation, poor financial base, poor knowledge base, leadership problems, cultural aspects hindering participation of women, poor communication, political interference, difficult in implementing legal framework, infrequent stakeholders meetings and lack of adequate data for decision making. The study recommended that: community be given room for use of local knowledge to build their commitment to the process of implementing IWRM, government to strategize financial plans for implementation of a wide scope of activities, harmonization of policies and enforcement of relevant laws and Acts, need for effective coordination and collaboration of all stakeholders.

Keywords: watershed management, Kuywa, Integrated water resource management