Assessment of Ecological Status and Socio-Economic Dynamics of Upper EwasoNg'iro Basin Wetlands

Abstract

Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin stretches from a semi-humid area at the foot of Aberdare ranges and Mt Kenya through the arid regions of Laikipia County (eco-climatic zone 3), to the more arid Shamburg and Isiolo regions (eco-climatic zone 4). The nature of the physiographic features that are characterised by plateau formation has encouraged wetland formation along the Ewaso Ng’iro river artery. The upper most wetland is the Ol Bolossat which forms the headwaters of all important Ewaso Ng’iro river, which receives water from rivers draining from both Mt Kenya and Aberdare ranges. Historically, this basin has been used by nomadic pastoralist up to the early part of the 20th century, when the area was occupied by white colonial farmers. Upon independence in the 1960s, the land was sub-divided into small scale farms which were mainly bought by farming communities from central Kenya. Due to the aridity of the region, this set the stage for wetland conversion since the adjacent area is too dry for farming. Currently the wetlands form important livelihood support system mainly for the farming communities. Farming is mainly geared towards meeting a combination of domestic food and income generation through horticultural crops, the later a recent development. Cultivation is done through irrigation using open canal and facilitated by loosely connected pipes with water pumping being done by pumps of various horse power. Horticultural farming is mainly characterised by huge loses throughout the year with middlemen controlling over 80% of market access. This scenario is evident from the poor livelihood status in terms of types of housing and wide spread poor health conditions related to poor sanitation and water contamination. The farmers are banked rolled by horticultural companies and banks hence high presence of liquid cash but low or no profits. Apart from farming the wetland area form an important grazing area for both the local community and outsiders especially from the arid northern region who come to the south for pasture in the dry months. Although some of the wetlands were not initially allocated as farming area, all the wetlands have been parcelled out with the exception of Ol Bolossat. This is the only wetland with a management plan in the basin. For example, land allocation in Ewaso Narok has been undertaken by the provincial administration, while in Marura, the earliest (1970s) occupied wetland settlement was done by central government and titles have been issued. Similarly in Pesi, Mutara and Moyok, the people alleged that land buying companies allocated land in the wetland and some people have titles. The impact of several years of farming in the wetland is visible in the dramatic change in the land cover with all the wetlands having recorded at least 50% increase in built up / cultivated areas between 1986 and 2010 with the exception of Ol Bolossat, which has remarkably recovered from 1990s encroachment. This increase in human activities is confirmed by decrease in sedges vegetation, which represent natural wetland ecosystem. Although the ecosystems indicated minimal change in soil fertility and water quality this can be associated with high dynamism in terms of water flow from the humid Aberdare and Mt Kenya ecosystems. During the wet season these wetland are heavily flooded and human activities are totally curtailed resuming again in dry season, which allow ecosystem self recovery. However, the wetlands lack management plan systems apart from Lake Ol Bolossat which has an approved management plan. In addition Water users association are almost absent with the exception of Marura area and Pesi. In all the other wetlands they have been a non-starter but the farming community have a stronger desire for some effective water management system. At the same time, they would like to continue living in the wetland where farming is conducive because of availability of water. A wholistic government intervention in form of participatory planning on wetland utilisation and conservation is required. Considering that more than 50% of the wetland has been converted into farming area, three management scenarios are proposed; 1 No intervention at all and the status continues, which will gradually transform wetland into farmland and grassland 2 Total exclusion of people from the wetlands, a momentous task and unpopular decision considering that the adjacent area is too dry for any viable farming activities 3.Coordinated intervention of wetland restoration and management as joint venture that will allow multiple sustainable utilization.