Wetland management and conservation by identification of various activities that lead to their degradation. Further suggestions on the partnership of all stakeholders are made. There is a need for the formulation of new policies to govern the management of wetlands

1. ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON WETLANDS, A
CASE STUDY OF LAKE ELEMENTAITA WETLAND, NAKURU, KENYA
MIRII KELVIN KIMANI
N11/50324/13
A REPORT SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF DEGREE IN NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN EGERTON
UNIVERSITY
DECEMBER 2016

2. DECLARATION
I declare that this report is my original work and has been submitted with the approval of my
supervisor to the Department of Natural Resources, Egerton University in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for award of Degree in Bsc. Natural Resources
The report has not been submitted to any other college or university department for the award of
any academic degree, diploma or certificate.
MIRII KELVIN KIMANI
REG: N11/50324/13
Sign: ----------------------
Date-------------------------
MR.S.K CHERUYIOT
Lecturer, Department of Natural Resources
Sign……………………..
Date……………………...
Egerton University, Kenya

3. DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to my beloved parents Mr. & Mrs Mirii, my brother, Simon and my sisters
Anastaciah and Mary for their sincere love, sacrifice and commitment to my studies.
God bless you.

4. ACKNOWLEGEMENT
Thanks to the almighty God for his enough grace, my supervisor Mr S.K. CHERIYUOT, you
have mentored me and worked tirelessly to guide me to this far.
I would also wish to thank the people around Lake Elementaita for actively participating
in the study. Their responses were valuable without which the study could not have been
possible.
I acknowledge my parents for your prayers and moral support, my success is also your success,
thank you.

5. ABSTRACT
Wetlands are among the most productive natural ecosystems on the earth offering social -cultural
economic and ecological values. This is due to their proximity to water and soil; hence they
support many plants and animals’ species. L. Elementaita is highly regarded for its functions and
values just like any other wetland in the world. Wetland services may be broadly grouped
according to functions (ground water recharge, flood control), product value (source of fish) and
attributes (aesthetic values, cultural). Proper maintaince of wetlands ensures continued
contribution to development is maintained. This research was carried out to identify human
activities that cause environmental degradation of Natural Resources around Lake Elementaita.
The objective of the study was to assess the effect of human activities (agricultural activities,
mining of Trona, water pumping, livestock farming) on Lake Elementaita wetland on a time
when it has been regarded as one of the Ramsar site by the Ramsar Convention for Wetlands.
The study also focused on the potential role of local communities in addressing ecological
problems around Lake Elementaita ecosystem. Stratified research design was used to carry out
the study. The study was carried out from May to August 2016 around Lake Elementaita in
Kenya. Structured questionnaires were administered to 60 households that were randomly
selected. This data was analyzed using Ms Excel Computer software. Descriptive statistics was
used to determine the percentages. The results from this research showed that rapid population
growth, overstocking, poor farming practices and unsustainable resource exploitation practices
resulted in increased soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats and biodiversity around Lake
Elementaita riparian zone .In conclusion Rapid population growth, overstocking, poor farming
practices and unsustainable resource exploitation practices resulted in increased soil erosion,
pollution, loss of habitats and biodiversity around Lake Elementaita. It was noted that there is an
urgent need for the government together with all stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive
participatory management wetland policy. Alternative sources of livelihood should be provided
for the communities living around Lake Elementaita.

6. TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION............................................................................................................................. 2
DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ 3
ACKNOWLEGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 4
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................... 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 6
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... 9
LIST OF FIQURES ...................................................................................................................... 10
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS........................................................................11
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 12
1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 12
1.1 Background information ................................................................................................ 12
1.2 Statement of the problem..................................................................................................... 13
1.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 13
1.3.1 Broad Objectives........................................................................................................... 13
1.3.2 Specific objectives ........................................................................................................ 13
1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 13
1.5 Justification.......................................................................................................................... 14
1.5 Scope and limitations .......................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 15
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................... 15
2.1 Wetland ecosystem .............................................................................................................. 15

7. 2.2 Wetlands of Kenya............................................................................................................... 15
2.3 Lake Elementaita ecosystem ............................................................................................... 15
2.4 Cause of wetlands degradation............................................................................................ 16
CHAPTER THREE....................................................................................................................... 17
3.0 METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................. 17
3.1 Description of the study area............................................................................................... 17
3.1.1 Climate........................................................................................................................ 17
3.2 Research design.............................................................................................................. 18
3.3 Data collection..................................................................................................................... 19
3.4 Sampling Procedure............................................................................................................. 19
3.5 Data analysis........................................................................................................................ 20
CHAPTER FOUR......................................................................................................................... 21
4.0 RESULTS........................................................................................................................... 21
4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of the Respondents.......................................................... 21
4.2 Activities Contributing to the Degradation of L.Elementaita.............................................. 21
4.3 Impacts of the activities to Lake Elementaita...................................................................... 22
4.4 Measures to conserve Lake Elementaita ............................................................................. 23
CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 24
5.0 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 24
5.1 Human Activities ................................................................................................................. 24
5.1.1 Resource utilization around Lake Elementaita Riparian Zone ..................................... 24
5.1.2 Pollution in the Lake Elementaita Riparian Zone ......................................................... 25
5.1.3 Perception on conservation of Lake Elementaita.......................................................... 26
CHAPTER SIX............................................................................................................................. 27
6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................... 27

8. 6.1 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 27
6.2 RECOMMENDATION ....................................................................................................... 27
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX................................................................................................................................... 30
Survey Sample Questionnaire ................................................................................................... 30

9. LIST OF TABLES
Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………24

10. LIST OF FIQURES
Figure 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 2 ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 3 ......................................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 4 ......................................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 5 ......................................................................................................................................... 25

11. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
MEWNR-Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
NWP-Naivasha Wetlands Programme
KWS-Kenya Wildlife Service
WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature
IUCN- International Union for the Conservation of Nature

12. CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background information
Human productive and social activities are shaped to a significant degree by
the available natural resources. Environmental degradation on both renewable and
nonrenewable resources may induce changes in settlement patterns and disrupt established
social relations. It is important therefore that communities are well informed about the
consequences of unsustainable use of all forms of natural resources.
The relationship between wetland and humans is as old as humanity. Most important fossils
of ancestral hominids and early humans have been found at former wetland sites such as
L.Turkana (Kenya) and Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). Bones of wetland animals on the find
scene indicates hunting and fishing and provide early evidence of human impacts on
wetlands (Coles 1990). The impact of modern human activities to the wetlands is clearly
indicated by the presence of bog bodies ,tools, ornaments and other archeological remains
found in abundance in wetland sediments(Coles and Coles 1989).
In the past the effect of human activities on wetlands was generally insignificant and of a
local nature. In many cases the wetlands had enough resilience to recover from the human
induced stresses placed upon them. However, the past 200 years has seen an accelerated and
unprecedented loss of natural wetlands due to direct and indirect human activities. Increasing
population, technological advances and intensive agricultural development have had an ever-
greater impact on wetlands. The impacts can be grouped into three types of changes to the
wetlands and includes; physical change (change in wetland elevation, change in local
hydrology), chemical change (Change in nutrient concentration, change in salt concentration)
and biological change (change in biomass, change in community composition).These
changes poses a serious implications for the integrity of many wetlands and the
environmental benefits they provide.
Large scale wetland modification for agriculture started with the origin of rice cultivation in
China about 6000BC (Glover and Higham 1996). Humans have converted wetlands into dry
lands to win areas for intensive agriculture and to fight water related parasitic diseases.

13. (Appleton et al.1995). Wetland destruction may not result from impacts on site, but also from
changing land use outside the wetland boundaries. Current extent of wetlands in the world is
not well detailed. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates
that the world have lost 50% of its wetlands since 1990.More than 80% of the internationally
protected Ramsar wetlands have undergone or are threatened by human induced ecological
change.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Since wetlands provide life support and livelihood to millions of poor who may not have
monetary assets, it I'd likely that they would be degraded. The number of people who depend
on wetlands is large but since they are very poor, economic value of what they derive from
wetlands appears to be small. Degraded wetlands would offer less economic and livelihood
services to the dependents, adversely impacting them. Also wetlands are easy prey to
encroachment because of poorly defined ownership regimes and because the land underneath
is needed for development activities such as airports and infrastructure networks(roads),It is
also easy to encroach upon wetlands especially in the dry seasons when they are dry enough
to be filled up, destroying all the ecological functions they provide such as ground water
recharge climate stabilization and flood control(Parikh and Datye,2003).
1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 Broad Objectives
To assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on L.Elementaita wetland
1.3.2 Specific objectives
a. To identity various anthropogenic activities on L. Elementaita wetland.
b. To identify the impacts posed to the wetland by the activities.
c. To identify strategies that can be used by local community and other stakeholders
towards conservation of the wetland.
1.4 ResearchQuestions
a) Which are the main human activities carried out around L.Elementaita wetland?
b) Which effects does the human activity around the wetland have on the wetland?

14. c) Which strategies can be used by the local community and other stakeholders to conserve
the wetland?
1.5 Justification
This study will be important as it will try to identify better strategies that will be geared towards
sustainable use and conservation of wetland resources. Lake Elementaita wetland has being
regarded as one of the Ramsar sites by Ramsar convention for wetlands
The findings from the study will help the communities adjacent to lake Elementaita to continue
enjoying the products of the wetlands by coming up with the strategies to conserve the wetland.
1.5 Scope and limitations
Unwillingness of the local to give correct information while interviewed
Language barrier as some respondents could not understand what were being asked.

15. CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Wetland ecosystem
A wetland is an area of land that is permanently or seasonally saturated with fresh, salty brackish
or marine water including areas of marine water at a depth not exceeding six meters at low tides.
Wetlands are dominated by vascular plants that have been adapted to saturated soils. There are
four main types of wetlands; bogs, swamps, marsh and fen. Wetlands surfaces can be broadly
grouped according to function (flood control), products (fish) and attributes (aesthetic values)
2.2 Wetlands of Kenya
In Kenya, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) estimates that
wetland ecosystems (freshwater and saline) cover only 2-3% of the country’s surface area
and are found mostly within the Great Rift Valley. They include: Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita,
Baringo, Naivasha, Bogoria and Lake Magadi (NWP,2001).Research on the relationships
between human activities and wetlands is nearly nonexistent in Kenya and rather limited
internationally (Wilson,GA,1996).Similarly, quantitative analysis of the effects and impacts of
agriculture on wetlands is limited due to insufficient environmental monitoring.
2.3 Lake Elementaita ecosystem
Natural vegetation includes Acacia woodland, dry bush land, lake-side grasslands and swamps .
The woodland vegetation is concentrated around the rivers with the Acacia xanthophloea as the
dominant species. The settlement area where the study was carried out Soysambu to the North,
Kekopey to the south western and Kariandusi to the North East and south east. The Lake (Fig. 1)
is 1772 meters above sea level and is served by Rivers Meroronyi,Mbaruk and Kariandusi. The
Lake has a maximum depth of one metre and occupies an area of 36.5 sq. km. In Kenya’s Rift
Valley lakes acts as the home to flamingoes which are rare birds. The birds depends on the lakes
for survival since they frequently come to these lakes in large numbers either to breed or feed.
The lakes are also important stop over for other migratory birds like African Spoon Bill (Platalea
alba), Sand Piper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and
the Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

16. 2.4 Cause of wetlands degradation
Environmental degradation is a process induced by anthropogenic activities. High human
population growth rates and economic development have led to degradation of wetlands, forests,
habitats and air quality (Mennonite J. 1999). High poverty levels amongst most developing
countries have accelerated the rate of natural resources destruction, since the poor depend on
natural resources directly for their livelihood. In industrialized countries, the consequences of
loss and degradation of wetlands have often been mitigated with expensive artificial
constructions, such as major flood protection schemes or water purification plants which is not
the case in developing countries because mitigation measures may take too long to be
implemented mostly due to financial and technical constraints. Application of chemicals like
fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural activities in the catchment area are impacting negatively
on the wetland ecosystems. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF); independent researches carried out at different time spans on lesser flamingoes in Lakes
Elementaita and Nakuru established that these lakes were threatened by sedimentation, livestock
wastes and toxic wastes [KWS. 2002, WWF.,2006.]. These are washed off the land through
erosion and end up in rivers, streams, lakes and oceans causing eutrophication that interferes
with food chains.

17. CHAPTER THREE
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Description of the study area
Lake Elementaita is situated in Gilgil location, Naivasha Sub County and lies between 0º 27”S
and, 36º 15E. Gilgil location has a population of 152,102 and Kekopey centre 15,624 (KNBS,
2009). It lies on the Eastern floor of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Geographically, it is
surrounded by Nyandarua hills to the North East and Eburru hills to the south. The Lake (Fig. 1)
Is 1772 meters above sea level and is served by rivers Meroronyi, Mbaruk and Kariandusi. The
Lake has a maximum depth of one meter and occupies an area of 36.5 sq. km.
3.1.1 Climate
Climatic conditions around Lake Elementaita are strongly influenced by altitude and other
physical features. The maximum temperatures are about 30ºC, December to January being the
hottest months. The area receives an annual rainfall of less than 750 mm. Natural vegetation
includes Acacia woodland, dry bush land, lake-side grasslands and swamps . The woodland
vegetation is concentrated around the rivers with the Acacia xanthophloea as the dominant
species. The settlement area where the study was carried out Soysambu to the North, Kekopey to
the south western and Kariandusi to the North
East and south east. The major occupation of the residents here is sand/salt harvesting, land
cultivation for agriculture and livestock rearing.

18. Figure 1
3.2 Researchdesign
A Stratified research Design was used to conduct the research .The Area around L.
Elementaita was stratified into 3; Soysambu,Kekopey,Kariandusi.

19. 3.3 Data collection
This research was conducted between May and August 2016. Data collection
was done through the administration of structured questionnaires and observation of
human activities being carried out, evidence of degradation on land and settlement pattern in the
area. The researcher made observations and analyzed what was happening in the study area
guided by a checklist. A transect from Lake Elementaita Lodge to the Lakeshore was
followed. This helped in validating documented information as compared with actual
occurrences in the study area. The questionnaire was administered to183 household heads
randomly selected within the three study sites shown on the map in Fig. 1. The area has in the
recent had more people settling (returning absentees or new land buyers) thus opening more land
for cultivation. There is also evidence of more trees planted by the new or returning tenants in
the area and new economic activities of tree nurseries established by the road reserves and
an ecotourism activity as indicated by the new grass thatched office clearly labeled “Lake
Elementaita Ecotourism Group”. There is also evidence of cleared areas within Acacia
woodland possibly as a result of increased logging and charcoal burning.
3.4 Sampling Procedure
Allocation of sampling units in the 3 zones was done using proportion allocation sampling.
Selection of samples were done through simple random sampling
Table 1
Area Size(km2) % of area size No. of samples
Soysambu 20 26 15
Kekopey 30 38 23
Kariandusi 28 36 22
Total 78 60

20. 3.5 Data analysis
The data was coded and analyzed using MS Excel computer packages. Descriptive statistics was
used which included the use of frequency tables, bar graph and cross-tabulations. Socioeconomic
aspects of the households such as sources of their livelihoods and resources within the
ecosystem, degradation trends and resources, mitigation measures proposed by the community
for conservation of ecosystem among others were analyzed using percentages

21. CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS
4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of the Respondents
A total of 60 household from three selected villages filled the questionnaires administered to
them. Results indicated that 65% of the studied households were male headed while 35% were
female headed. This reflects the typical situation in Kenya and more particularly in rural areas
where most households are headed by males. Regarding education, 85% of the questionnaired
household heads had primary school education, 8% had attained secondary school education and
7% had no formal education. Furthermore, the study found that 50% of the respondents were
subsistence farmers, 30% were livestock keepers while only 16% were traders and 4% were
Lodges workers. (Figure 2)
Figure 2
4.2 Activities Contributing to the Degradation of L.Elementaita
Majority of the respondents (70%) acknowledged that there are different activities being carried
out around and within the L.Elementaita wetland. Relatively few (30%) not knowing any
activities taking place around and within the wetland. Activities which are taking place were
identified as firewood harvesting(17%), water abstraction (12 %), livestock farming (20 %),
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Subsitence Farmers livestock keepers Traders Lodge workers
population description of the users of Lake Elementaita
male female

22. Farming(33%), Charcoal burning (10%) and Sand and salt collection (8%) (Fig.3). Population
increase, and poverty could be the reasons that led local communities to engage in these
activities. The population size of Naivasha district for the year 2002 was 320,000 and population
size for the year 2010 was about 341,136.
Figure 3
4.3 Impacts of the activities to Lake Elementaita
75 % of the respondents came to a consensus that the activities carried around Lake Elementaita
had great impacts on the wetland.25 % of the respondents did not find any impact of the
activities on the wetland.
The table below shows the impacts of the activities as per how the respondents responded
IMPACTS YES NO
Unreliable water source 23 1
Loss of habitat 11 5
Loss of biodiversity 4 2
Soil erosion 6 3
pollution 2 3
17%
12%
10%
33%
8%
20%
Percentages of human activities around L.Elementaita
Firewood harvesting
water abstraction
charcoal burning
farming
salt and sand collection
livestock grazing

23. Table 2
4.4 Measures to conserve Lake Elementaita
Majority of the respondents felt that there is an urgent need to conserve the environment.
Majority were ready to do all what it will partake to conserve the wetland. The bar graph shows
the strategies suggested by the respondents that could assist in conservation of Lake Elementaita
wetland
Figure 4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Organic
farming
Wetland policy Beekeeeping Ecotourism Awareness
education
respondents
strategies
Strategies to conserve the wetland as per the respondents
Yes
No

24. CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSION
5.1 Human Activities
Grazing and farming were the major human activities carried out by respondents in the entire
study area. This concurs with the findings by (Stevenson GG.1991) who realized that the
common property resources around the rural landscape within developing countries are a set
of dependable resources, which provide a variety of economic and environmental security for
the whole community. In common property regimes, the community or state have the option
of putting in place rules of how to use the resource. There is always a problem of
enforcement of conservation measures. The common property resources and especially those
with free open access are at the risk of degradation and overuse [Ostrom E., 1990 and
Oakerson R.J.1992]. Although other human activities were minimal, the harvesting of
firewood and other natural products without recourse for direct consumption and income
generation exacerbates environmental
5.1.1 Resource utilization around Lake Elementaita Riparian Zone
The most important resources utilized by majority of respondents in the study area were
farmland, grazing land and water as shown in Fig. 3. According to UNEP and World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) 2011 report, terrestrial vegetation around Lake
Elementaita consists of upland forest, woodland, dry bush land dominated by Acacia
xanthophloea and Eurphobia candelabrum, scrubland dominated by Olea europea subsp.
Africana sp. And Tarchonanthus camphorates and grassland of Cynodon dactylon, Chloris
gayana and Panicum spp. Marshes located in the southern part of the lake are dominated by
Cyperus laevigatus and Typha spp. These are now threatened by human activities taking
place within the areas surrounding the Lake. The human activities carried out around Lake
Elementaita have far reaching effects on the survival of the fragile ecosystem. The land
degradation and soil erosion around the ecosystem have been enhanced by the residents
carrying out agricultural activities such as maize and horticultural growing that are
incompatible with the climatic conditions that prevail in the area. The situation has been
made worse by overgrazing as a result of large herds of livestock brought in by pastoralists

25. who come from as far as Narok County and the mining of salt and sand. Potential impacts
related to livestock grazing may include, overgrazing, and trampling of soils and plants. The
significance of these impacts would depend upon the timing, duration, and intensity of
grazing. A decrease in the abundance, distribution, and vigor of plant species resulting from
livestock overgrazing may, in turn, decrease the amount of ground-cover (vegetation and
litter) and soil organic matter, and increase the amount of bare soil. This would inevitably
accelerate soil erosion (Table 2) leading to a change in the water quality of the lake. The
loss of woody riparian species (cottonwoods and willows) by livestock is particularly
detrimental. The loss of these species that stabilize river banks end up decreasing the areas
of Lake Ecosystems such as Elementaita
Figure 5
5.1.2 Pollution in the Lake Elementaita Riparian Zone
Most wetlands are being affected by increasing human population which leads to more land
being opened up for cultivation which then necessitates increased use of pesticide and
other agrochemicals which are eventually washed down through surface run-off leading to
pollution in wetlands [Kitaka,2000]. This affects drinking water sources and biological diversity.
Drainage and run-off from fertilized crops and pesticides used in industry introduce nitrogen and

26. phosphorous nutrients and other toxins to water sources. These chemicals can affect the health
and reproduction of species, posing a serious threat to biological diversity. As resources are
being used in the study area, the effects of degradation in the area are aggravated, especially
pollution from agrochemicals waste and soil erosion. The overstocking and the resultant
overgrazing from livestock leave the ground bare. Surface runoff water from agrochemicals used
on crops and pesticides used on livestock are easily washed down to Lake Elementaita as a result
of soil erosion. These pollutants end up distorting the food chain and reproduction of species
within and around the ecosystem thus destroying biodiversity.
This ecosystem is faced with rising demand for food, energy and other supplies to sustain the
increasing population within and adjacent to these areas. This has led to a situation where acacia
forests are cleared for charcoal burning to make room for agricultural activities and settlement.
Siltation and pollution of the wetlands is a critical problem in this lake, due to change in
hydrological regime within the catchment confirming the work of Kimani et al 1992.
5.1.3 Perception on conservation of Lake Elementaita
More than 72% of respondents believed there has been decrease in land
productivity, while about 67% believed that soil erosion has increased over the years. The fact
that the community members have noted evidence of environmental degradation around
Lake Elementaita and the fact that there is a decline of ecosystem services both in quality and
quantity as shown by their perceptions results is a clear indicator of their concern.
The community living around is willing to conserve Lake Elementaita as shown by more
than 79% of the respondents, a demonstration of their awareness of the need to do something to
arrest further decline. This positive perception of the community towards environmental issues is
important since they can help in environmental conservation programs, once government and
stakeholders come in to agree on sustainable ways of addressing environmental degradation

27. CHAPTER SIX
6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 CONCLUSION
Rapid population growth, overstocking, poor farming practices and unsustainable resource
exploitation practices resulted in increased soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats and
biodiversity around Lake Elementaita. It was noted that there is an urgent need for the
government together with all stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive participatory
management wetland policy. This would strengthen coordination among government and non-
government agencies operating within this riparian zone. It was also noted that the communities
living here need some alternative sources of livelihood such as, beekeeping and ecotourism. In
order to minimize water pollution in the lake, organic farming needs to substitute inorganic
production systems.
6.2 RECOMMENDATION
It was noted that there is an urgent need for the government together with all stakeholders
(local community leaders, ranchers, conservation groups, community based organizations
and Kenya Wildlife Services) to come up with a comprehensive participatory management
wetland policy. This would strengthen coordination among government and nongovernment
agencies operating within this riparian zone. Alternative sources of livelihood should be
provided for the communities living around Lake Elementaita.

28. REFERENCES
Appleton C.C,Sharp,B.L and Le Sure D.1995,Wetlands and water related parasitic diseases of
man in southern Africa.In:Cowan G(editor),Wetlands of South Africa ,Pretoria pp 227-246
Coles .B 1990, Wetland archeology; a wealth of evidence.In: William M.(editor),wetlands: A
threatened landscape. Blackwell, Oxford university press,pp 145-180
Coles .B and Coles .J 1989, People of wetlands. Bog, bodies and lake dwellers.Thames and
Hudson press, London
Geographical Journal Anon. Definition of Environmental Degradation; 2007. Accessed on 4th
May,2016
Glover I.A and Higham G.F.W.(1996).New evidence for early rice cultivation in South East and
East Asia:In Harris D.R(editor).The Origin and spread of agriculture and pastoralism in
Eurasia,UCl press,London pp 413-441
IUCN. (1999). International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Global Water
J.Parkh and H.Datye.(2003).Sustainable management of wetlands,Chapman Enterprises
press,New Delhi,pp 18.
Kimani PK, et al.(1992) Hydrology and land use of Lake Nakuru catchment. The World Wide
Fund for Nature and Egerton University
Kitaka N .(2000) Phosphorous supply to a shallow tropical lake and its consequences-Lake
Naivasha, Kenya PHD Thesis, University of Leicester, Leicester.190.
KWS. (2002) Management plan for Lake Elementaita Ecosystem (draft) by Kenya wildlife
service Wetlands Division
Mennonite J., (1999). Poverty and Environmental Degradation. Oxford University press, New
York
Naivasha Wetlands Programme (NWP).2001. World Wide Fund Eco-regions, Gland
Oakerson RJ. (1992). Analyzing the commons. A framework in Bromley DW. (Ed) Making
Commons Work: Theory, Practice and Policy. San Francisco, ICS press
Ostrom E. (1990).Governing the commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action
Cambridge University Press Programme
Stevenson G.G. (1991). Common property economics: A general theory and land use
application. Cambridge University Press; Switzerland Tropical Lake Elementaita Drainage
Basin, Kenya. Eastern and Southern Africa

29. Wilson, G.A. (1996). Farm Environmental Attitudes and ESA Participation. Geoform 27:115-
131.
WWF. (2006).World Wide Fund for Nature: Living Planet Report, Gland, Switzerland

30. APPENDIX
Survey Sample Questionnaire
Dear respondent;
I am Mirii Kelvin Kimani, undergraduate student in Egerton University, department of natural
resource. I’m conducting a research on assessing the effects of anthropogenic activities on
wetlands, a case study lake Elementaita Nakuru County. This is in fulfillment of the requirement
for the award of the degree in Natural resource management. All the information will be used for
academic purpose only.
SECTION ONE (Personal data)
1. Please indicate your County…………………………………………….
2. Gender MALE ( ) FEMALE ( )
3. Kindly tick against your age (years) in the brackets below
18 to 25 ( ) 26 to 34 ( ) 35 to 44 ( ) 45 to 54 ( ) 55 and above ( )
4. Kindly indicate your highest education level Educational level
Primary level ( ) Secondary level ( ) Tertiary level ( )
Others …………………………………………. (Specify)
5. Which of the following is your area of resident around Lake Elementaita?
i. Kariandusi ( )
ii. Kekopey ( )
iii. Soysambu ( )
6. What are your sources of income?
Mixed Farming ( )
Livestock keeping ( )
Business ( )
Employed ( )
Others. Kindly specify ……………………………………….
SECTION TWO
1. Which are the benefits that you derive from Lake Elementaita

31. Water for domestic use ( )
Fishing ( )
Trona collection ( )
Tourism and recreation ( )
Water ( )
2. Which activities do you carry out to earn a living?
Farming ( )
Livestock keeping ( )
Trona and sand extraction ( )
Charcoal burning ( )
Section 3
1. Do you know any impacts caused by the activities to the Lake
Yes ( )
No ( )
If yes, which of the following:
Unreliable water source ( )
Loss of habitat ( )
Loss of biodiversity ( )
Soil erosion ( )
Pollution ( )
SECTION 4
1. Would you like L.Elementaita to be conserved
Yes ( )
No ( )
If yes, which of these strategies would you recommend to be put in place to conserve

32. the wetland?
Organic farming ( )
Wetland policy ( )
Bee keeping ( )
Ecotourism ( )
Awareness education ( )