Ondiri Wetland or Ondiri Swamp is a protected wetland and peatbog that is the source of the Nairobi River near Kikuyu, Kenya in Kiambu County.[1][2] The wetland is under pressure because of water extraction, deforestation and accelerated erosion.[1][3] Listed in 2021, the project's conservation is part of a larger initiative by the Kenyan government to reduce pollution to major waterways that provide water supply to Nairobi as part of the Thwake Dam project.[4][5][6] The waterway is also important for local greenhouse agriculture.[4] Ondiri Wetland covers 3,713,549 square feet and is a source to 40 springs, which provide water to the local community.[7]

Ondiri was heavily polluted with pesticides and dumping. In 2004, a study found as few as 41 bird species.[8] Around 2020, there were 76 species of birds living in Ondiri.[9] In 2016, the Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) was established to rehabilitate and protect the bog; they run awareness campaigns, plant trees, and hold community events. .[9] "The biggest challenge I face is convincing people about the importance of the wetland. And in awareness creation, you convert polluters into consververs," says David Wakogi, co-creator of this FOWK in a documentary about his work. [10] Wakogi says there are now 76 species of birds in the wetland,[11] compared to a 2004 assessment of 44 species.[12]

Kenya's 2022 national celebration of World Wetland Day was held in Ondiri to highlight the importance of the country's largest highland bog.[7] "More than 10,000 seedlings have been planted in the swamp through efforts of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and NEMA. I am happy to report that the survival rate of the seedling is very impressive,” stated Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry Mr Keriako Tobiko.


References

  1. ^ a b "Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya | Home". friendsofondiriwetlands.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ^ Obura, Fredrick. "Increased human activities threaten source of Nairobi River - FarmKenya Initiative". Farm Kenya Initiative. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  3. ^ Muchiri, Nancy W. (2012). The impact of human activities on Wetlands: a case study of Ondiri Wetland in Kiambu County, Kenya (Thesis thesis). University of Nairobi, Kenya.
  4. ^ a b "Saving Kenya's Capital City Water Source, The Ondiri Wetland". Africa Climate Conversations. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  5. ^ Mugo, George (25 July 2021). "Ondiri Wetland water levels rises after fencing". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  6. ^ Koech, Gilbert. "Ondiri Swamp to be gazetted soon, says Nema". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  7. ^ a b "The World Wetlands Day held at Ondiri Swamp". Kenya News. February 3, 2022. Retrieved Aug 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Mungai, Naftali. "Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  9. ^ a b May 21 2020, Thursday (2020-09-19). "Greening Ondiri, the resource-rich Old Lake". Business Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-26.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Wetland Warrior | 52 Documentary, retrieved 2022-08-26
  11. ^ Wetland Warrior | 52 Documentary, retrieved 2022-09-07
  12. ^ Mungai, Naftali. "Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.


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