On the 2nd of February 2015, Ecopro Initiative CBO successfully held an event at the Ondiri swamp in Kikuyu to commemorate the worlds wetland day for the year 2015.The theme of the day was ‘wetlands for our future’. Ecopro Initiative CBO worked in conjunction with Small Axe Environmental group from githurai, Chiromo Environmental Awareness Club (uon), Rhodes tours, NRUA-WRMA, Ondiri Riparian Association, office of the MCA Kikuyu Hon Binary wainaina’s team. Volunteers from Change mind Change future, Tunza eco generation. The guest for the day was Mr.Naftaly Mungai from Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture Association (MESHA-KENYA).
The day’s activities started at around 10.30 after the arrival of guests and participants. A clean- up in and around the swamp started was the first activity of the day. Afterwards we had introductions of the various groups followed by a speech from our guest, Mr.Naftaly Mungai. He gave us a brief history of the origin of the Ondiri swamp. It was once a large lake called old lake by the whites. The local kikuyu corrupted it to what it is known as today that is Ondiri. Legend has it that the Maasai settled around the lake as it provided water and rich pasture from around it. With time the organic waste from the animal dung was carried into the lake and got colonized by vegetation that lead to the present nature of the lake today. The swamp is covered by a very thick layer of peat, with swamp reeds and other vegetation.
The swamp is more of a quaking bog, the largest in Kenya and second largest in Africa. The swamp over the years has faced degradation. Land has been grabbed for settling and farming, trees have been cut and the vegetation that grows on it exploited for sale to farmers during the dry season. Efforts have been made over the years to rehabilitate it by planting trees and trying to involve the community around it in the process. Unfortunately not everyone has embraced it .Other setbacks have been the planting of the eucalyptus tree species around the swamp, which is detrimental to the swamp as it extracts too much water from it. The harvesting of the vegetation in the swamp makes it prone to evaporation especially during the dry season. Efforts had been made where the residents around the swamp had been asked to allow planting of trees in the part of their land which bordered the swamp. Unfortunately many uprooted them. The stream that flows from it joins with other tributaries to form the Nairobi River. The swamp is also a source of water for the Kikuyu town and kikuyu springs that provide water to state house. The swamp is also a habitat for birds of various species which have reduced over the years, an effect of the lack of proper management of the wetland. The swamp is also said to be a breather for Lake Naivasha as it has no known outlets and is a fresh water lake in the rift valley. The day ended with a nature walk around the swamp where an aerial view reveals how massive and beautiful it is.
Ecopro’s objectives for the day were to raise the awareness of how important the swamp is locally and nationally. To also involve the youth from around the area in future events that aim towards the conservation and sustainable use of the swamp.
Much appreciation to everyone who participated and may we keep up the spirit to fight for our environment.