An Evaluation of Management Practices on Wetlands and Riparian Reserves: the Nairobi Dam Experience

Abstract

Urban environment management has been recognized as key factor in the sustainable development of urban settlements that support the lives of its resident and provide them with the basic requirement of food, shelter and water. Of concern to this study were urban wetlands. The study sought to find out the adequacy of wetland management in Kenya and used a case study of the Nairobi dam. The literature reviewed revealed that management is key to the existence of wetlands in the human scope and Kenya needs a proper land use plan that factors in the needs of conserving wetlands from pollution, encroachment, clearance and for sustainable existence of wetlands. In recognition of the importance of natural resource, the study sought to look at the current stakeholders who are engaged in the management of wetlands and Nairobi dam in specific. After their recognition, it was of importance to find out their involvement and modes of management in the wetland identified above. To collect this information two sets of questionnaires were administered; to government officials, and to the nearby area residents. Other methods employed included interviews, informal discussions, observation and physical visiting of site to identify its status of result achieved by the stakeholder management practices. According to this study, Kenya has put up many planning and legal measures to curb settlement within environmentally fragile areas such as riparian reserves and wetlands. But least of these is wetlands and thus questions raised are to advocate for the sustainable management of natural resources as well as water resources linked to riparian resource area that are water body encroachment buffers. The study found out that, for effective management of wetlands, commitment by the GoK has to be effected on wetland management through funding management objectives, enforcing environmental law and reviewing wetland related sections of these statutes. Local community engagement in protection of the dam was also found to be lacking. The study also found out that actual management of the dam was non existent and it was of most importance to note that the dam water was virtually invisible.. The study hence recommends the overhaul of the management of wetlands from administrative bodies to stakeholder involvement, with formation of a channel of communication between stakeholders for even flow of energy in management.