Challenges And Opportunities Of Participatory Management Of Upland Wetland In Kiambu County, Kenya

Wetlands are continuously degraded via agricultural activities, pollution and settlement. In Lari sub-county for example, increase in population pressure, decline in soil fertility, unreliable rainfall plus quest for food security is forcing the farmers to encroach on the seemed idle Upland wetland. Opportunity for conservation of this wetland lies on the participatory approaches that can be embraced at local level helping in conservation of this vital natural resource. Ruiru river main water comes from Upland wetland which is harvested by Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company in Githunguri sub-county at Ruiru dam. The wetland plus Kikuyu east escarpment forms part of catchment area that amounts to 6680 ha. The research is of vital importance as the water company lacks in depth information about its catchment areas, leading to their encroachment and eventually water rationing in Nairobi city. The objectives of this study were to document causes of Upland wetland degradation, assess extent of community participation, and investigate level of awareness on wetland importance and possible contribution of farmer‟s involvement on catchment management. Sampling methods used to select the study units included stratified and random sampling where farmers and Ruiru dam workers were issued with questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to select WARMA manager, WRUA officials and six elderly who were interviewed. A total of 40 farmers from Lari 107 settlement scheme where wetland is located and 4 Ruiru dam workers were issued with questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Chi-square, T-test and SPSS computer packages. The percentages for qualitative data were presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts. Mapping of the wetland was done using GIS and Google Earth. The study found that Upland wetland total cover area is 129.6 Ha after getting reduced by 105.4. Ha for the last thirty years due to encroachment. The study revealed that 65% of the respondents had stayed in the area for more than 20yrs.