Ondiri Wetland

Ondiri Wetland (sometimes ũndirĩ Swamp[1]) is a protected wetland and peatbog that is the source of the Nairobi River near Kikuyu, Kenya in Kiambu County.[2] It was formerly known as ‘Kihenia’ (meaning shiny surface). However white settlers renamed it ‘Old Lake’, which was later pronounced as“Ondiri”.[3]

The wetland is under pressure because of water extraction, deforestation and accelerated erosion.[1][4] Listed in 2021, the project's conservation is part of a larger initiative by the Kenyan government to reduce pollution to major waterways that provide water supply to Nairobi as part of the Thwake Dam project.[5][6][7] The waterway is also important for local greenhouse agriculture.[5] Ondiri Wetland covers 3,713,549 square feet and is a source to 40 springs, which provide water to the local community.[8]

Ondiri was heavily polluted with pesticides and dumping. In 2004, a study found as few as 41 bird species.[9] Around 2020, there were 76 species of birds living in Ondiri. In 2016, the Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) was established to rehabilitate and protect the bog; they run awareness campaigns, plant trees, and hold community events.[10] [11] There are now 76 species of birds in the wetland,[12] compared to a 2004 assessment of 44 species.[13]

Kenya's 2022 national celebration of World Wetland Day was held in Ondiri to highlight the importance of the country's largest highland bog.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Friends of ũndirĩ Wetland Kenya | Home". friendsofondiriwetlands.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ^ Obura, Fredrick. "Increased human activities threaten source of Nairobi River - FarmKenya Initiative". Farm Kenya Initiative. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  3. ^ "Restoring the Heart of Kikuyu: Ondiri Wetland". Youth4Nature. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  4. ^ Muchiri, Nancy W. (2012). The impact of human activities on Wetlands: a case study of Ondiri Wetland in Kiambu County, Kenya (Thesis thesis). University of Nairobi, Kenya.
  5. ^ a b "Saving Kenya's Capital City Water Source, The ũndirĩ Wetland". Africa Climate Conversations. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  6. ^ Mugo, George (25 July 2021). "Ondiri Wetland water levels rises after fencing". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  7. ^ Koech, Gilbert. "Ondiri Swamp to be gazetted soon, says Nema". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  8. ^ a b "The World Wetlands Day held at Ondiri Swamp". Kenya News. February 3, 2022. Retrieved Aug 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Mungai, Naftali. "Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  10. ^ May 21, 2020, Thursday (2020-09-19). "Greening Ondiri, the resource-rich Old Lake". Business Daily. Retrieved 2022-08-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Saving Kenya's Ondiri wetland region – DW – 09/23/2021. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via www.dw.com.
  12. ^ Wetland Warrior | 52 Documentary, retrieved 2022-09-07
  13. ^ Mungai, Naftali. "Why resource rich Ondiri Swamp must be conserved". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-09-07.