Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems in Kenya. The integrity of the country’s water resources and agricultural productivity is sustained by our wetlands. They are nutrient rich and productive most of the year. During the dry seasons, wetlands are the only places where the local communities are able to access quality pasture and their edges support production of vegetables and other quick maturing crops for household consumption. They also control floods and clear water of pollutants through filtration. Wetlands are therefore a key resource for the achievement of Vision 2030.
Despite the important role that wetlands play in sustaining livelihoods in Kenya, they have been subjected to severe pressure and rapid degradation. The results have been detrimental and even catastrophic in many areas of the country. For example, flash floods in western Kenya have become more common, severe and destructive as there are no wetlands to hold back any massive overland flow, leading to loss of property, destruction of infrastructure and damage to crops. This phenomenon is compounded by climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. In some parts of the country, this has now become an annual event and the resulting shock to the country’s national economy has been a major destabilizing factor to sustained economic growth. It is therefore apparent that the attainment of the Vision 2030 goals hinges on how well we manage our wetlands.
The government is mindful of the opportunities lost through wetland degradation and has embarked on a long term strategy to promote their protection. This strategy will, however, only be effective if all Kenyans embrace it through valuing the services rendered by wetlands. This demands that every Kenyan has access to reliable and up to date information on the dynamics playing out in wetland ecosystems and their value to the economic development of the country. This information should be especially clear and
easily understood by all Kenyans who depend on wetlands for their livelihoods. The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources is therefore very pleased to release the Kenya Wetlands Atlas. It provides decision-makers, interested readers, and others who care about the integrity of Kenya’s wetland with invaluable visual information about the state of the country’s wetlands resources using satellite images, maps, graphics, ground photographs, and scientifically evidence based story lines to provide a succinct account of what is happening to the various wetlands in the country.
The Ministry is grateful to UNEP for its support in preparing this Atlas and continues to treasure the close collaboration it has with this global institution which Kenya is honoured to host. We are also indebted to DANIDA for the generous support the agency has continued to extend to the environment sector in Kenya.
I would like to congratulate all the national and international experts, national institutions and development partners whose contribution has made this landmark publication possible. It is my sincere hope that this publication will inspire every Kenyan into action. I wish you an enjoyable reading.
Hon, AMB, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, EGH, FCIT, MP.
Minister of Environment and Mineral Resources