Wetlands are found in Lake Victoria, Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Lake Turkana, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Elementaita. Wetlands occupy three to four per cent of Kenya's landmass.Īn acre of wetland can store 1-1.5 million gallons of floodwater. Wetland biomass are responsible for keeping rivers at a normal level as they hold water and release it to the river as needed. Wetlands include all inland aquatic habitats (permanent or temporary, whether fresh, or saline, and including lakes, streams, rivers, and inland seas), coastal systems shallower than six metres depth at low tide (lagoons, estuaries, marshes, mangroves, seagrass beds, mudflats, and coral reefs), and human-made systems such as reservoirs (6,000–7,000 square kilometres) and rice paddies.Įnvironment laws define wetlands as areas permanently or seasonally flooded by the water where plants and animals have become seasonally adapted. Wetlands are amongst the earth’s top carbon stores.īy conserving and restoring high-carbon wetlands, the country can reduce carbon emissions and increase its capacity to adapt to climate change, while improving biodiversity, water security, and human well-being.
On its own, the committee can investigate any suspected cases of environmental degradation and report to the Cabinet Secretary. NECC investigates any allegations or complaints against any person or against the authority in relation to the environment. Other threats include poor waste management, hydropower development, climate change, sedimentation and siltation, invasive alien animal and plant species, as well as hyacinth.Ĭhanges in hydrological conditions-sand harvesting, over-abstraction of water, and overgrazing are other challenges. NECC secretary John Chumo told the Star wetlands are threatened by population pressure, land subdivision and fragmentation, over-utilisation of water as well as land-use changes such as the conversion to agriculture. Water and wetlands are inseparable and vital to life, human well-being, and the health of our planet. This year’s theme focuses on wetlands as a source of fresh water and encourages actions to restore them.Ĭountries are facing a growing freshwater crisis that threatens people and the planet as more freshwater is used than nature can replenish. Sabaki River, 390km, is part of the second-largest river in Kenya.įrom its source, it's known as Athi River, it becomes River Galana and 10km north of Malindi town it's called River Sabaki flowing into the Indian Ocean. The theme is 'Wetlands for Water - Wetlands for Better Health'.
On Tuesday, Kenya will mark the day at Sabaki Estuary, Kilifi county. National Environmental Complaints Committee has raised the alarm days before the international community marks World Wetlands Day. Increasing human activities pose the greatest threat to Kenya's wetlands.
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