Environmental Degradation Within Lake Naivasha Basin Kenya

Presented by Godfrey, O. Onyango Environmental Science

Egerton University2010Kenya

Location of Kenya in Africa

Location of National Parks/Masaai people

Kenya is rich in Biodiversity/wildlife

Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake in Kenya Provides habitat to a variety of wildlife Plays a very important role in national development Lake Naivasha basin has undergone rapid land use transformations There is increased demand for the scarce environmental resources

and services, especially water and land Rapid population growth Likelihood of increased environmental degradation is certain unless

mitigation measures are put in place. What is not immediately clear is whether or not the water users such

as flower growing companies are aware of the environmental consequences of their actions.

Or could it be that they lack essential scientific information on the basis of which they could make more informed decisions on management of the basin’s resources.

Background of Lake Naivasha

Expansion without infrastructure

Ground water

Environmental degradation

Malewa River

Best management practices

Background cont’d

Rampant discharge of raw sewage into the Lake Number of bird and fish species found on the lake has been

declining Inappropriate fishing practices using undersize nets, fishing in

non fishing zone, and unlicensed fish men/boats Another problem is geothermal energy production in Olkaria The quantity of data and research on Lake Naivasha and its

drainage is overwhelming (Robert et al 2006). Despite all these, environmental degradation is still a threat Utilization of the environmental scientific information may be

achieved by carrying out stakeholder analysis, determining their environmental scientific information needs, and coming up with appropriate ways to disseminate environmental scientific information to the stakeholders and methods to develop stakeholder advisory board

Consequences

Managing Lake Naivasha outside of the natural variability will result in water scarcity with potentially dire consequences for humans dependent on this vital source of water. It call for involvement of all stakeholders.