Written By Gerald Gekara 📝
The national government has ramped up efforts to protect the iconic Ondiri swamp.
The wetland is unique has long been considered a lifeline for Nairobi rivers, and an important part of the region’s flora and fauna.
Mamo Mamo, director general of the National Environment Management Authority, said plans to gazette the swamp and give it permanent protection status are well advanced.
“We have drafted a gazette notice. But first, we’ll conduct an extensive public dialogue to reach an agreement with stakeholders on the topic of gazettement of the Ondiri swamp,” Mamo remarked.
Before being gazetted, the Ondiri Management Plan 2022-27 would be subjected to stakeholder validation.
Mamo said a survey for the wetland has been done but the authority is waiting for Water Resource Authority to determine the exact boundaries of the wetland.
Water levels have risen at Ondiri Wetland in Kikuyu subcounty, according to environmentalists, since the water source was gated last year by the Water Resource Management Authority.
Conservationists have so far removed hostile trees such as Blue Gum from the wetland that is part of the Nairobi river water supply, leaving only water source friendly trees to thrive.
Nema has set out to educate people about the importance of maintaining the rivers and streams that run through their communities.
“We have garages near rivers that drain garbage into them, plots that do the same, buildings being erected near rivers that do the same, and contractors who do the same. We’re going after all of these groups to educate them,” stated a Nema official.
This year’s World Wetlands Day will be hosted at Alliance High School, which is just a short distance from the wetland, according to the director general.
The topic for this year’s celebration is “Wetlands action for people and nature.”Â
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