Ondiri Wetland Explained

Ondiri Wetland (sometimes ũndirĩ Swamp[1] ) is a protected wetland and peatbog that is the source of the Nairobi River near Kikuyu, Kenya in Kiambu County.[2] It was formerly known as ‘Kihenia’ (meaning shiny surface). However white settlers renamed it ‘Old Lake’, which was later pronounced as“Ondiri”.[3]

The wetland is under pressure because of water extraction, deforestation and accelerated erosion.[4] 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.[5] [6] [7] The waterway is also important for local greenhouse agriculture. Ondiri Wetland covers 3,713,549 square feet and is a source to 40 springs, which provide water to the local community.[8]

Ondiri was heavily polluted with pesticides and dumping. In 2004, a study found as few as 41 bird species.[9] Around 2020, there were 76 species of birds living in Ondiri. 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.[10] [11] There are now 76 species of birds in the wetland, 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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Friends of ũndirĩ Wetland Kenya Home. 2021-07-27. friendsofondiriwetlands.org.
  2. Web site: Obura. Fredrick. Increased human activities threaten source of Nairobi River - FarmKenya Initiative. 2021-07-27. Farm Kenya Initiative. en.
  3. Web site: 2024-03-01 . Restoring the Heart of Kikuyu: Ondiri Wetland . 2024-10-03 . Youth4Nature . en-US.
  4. The impact of human activities on Wetlands: a case study of Ondiri Wetland in Kiambu County, Kenya. University of Nairobi, Kenya. 2012. Thesis. en-US. Nancy W.. Muchiri.
  5. Web site: Saving Kenya's Capital City Water Source, The ũndirĩ Wetland. 2021-07-27. Africa Climate Conversations. 19 July 2021 . en-US.
  6. Web site: Mugo. George. 25 July 2021. Ondiri Wetland water levels rises after fencing. 2021-07-27. The Star. en-KE.
  7. Web site: Koech. Gilbert. Ondiri Swamp to be gazetted soon, says Nema. 2021-07-27. The Star. en-KE.
  8. News: February 3, 2022 . The World Wetlands Day held at Ondiri Swamp . Kenya News . Aug 26, 2022.
  9. Web site: Mungai . Naftali . Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved . 2022-08-26 . The Standard . en.
  10. Web site: May 21, 2020 . Thursday . 2020-09-19 . Greening Ondiri, the resource-rich Old Lake . 2022-08-26 . Business Daily . en.
  11. Saving Kenya's Ondiri wetland region – DW – 09/23/2021 . en . 2024-10-03 . www.dw.com.
  12. Web site: Mungai . Naftali . Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved . 2022-09-07 . The Standard . en.

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