Kikuyu Residents Take a Stand On Ondiri Swamp

On February 2nd World Wetlands Day, the residents of Kikuyu Constituency led by their area member of parliament Hon. Kimani Ichung’wa, chose to celebrate this day by taking a stand on their important and valuable resource- Ondiri Swamp.
This swamp might not be known about as much but is a unique ecological feature not only in the community but in the country as well! So what makes this little known about gem so special? Ondiri swamp is the only quaking bog in Kenya, beneath the earth’s crust lies nothing but water.

Apart from this, Ondiri swamp is a peat bog and is the second deepest swamp in Africa with experts estimating it to reach depths of up to 10kms. This rare gem is a breather for Lake Naivasha, a major water source for Nairobi river and is its water that flows underground feeds into the Kikuyu Springs.
Ondiri swamp is the major fresh water source for the residents in Kikuyu; the springs it feeds- Kikuyu springs are a major water source for Nairobi residents as well as other residential areas like Karen.
One of the most important characteristics of peat bogs however, is their ability to sink carbon. These wetlands continuously sequester atmospheric carbon whose levels continue to increase globally. Some of the carbon is also held by the vegetation present. If carefully managed, peat bogs can then counter the effects of emissions by retaining stored carbon and sinking more atmospheric carbon.

In spite of these vital services provided by the swamp, it faces a lot of threats in form of water abstraction, encroachment, burning and cutting down of trees. These threats have then pushed the community into action before it is too late. The 500 tree seedlings planted- indigenous trees and bamboo marked the beginning of rehabilitation and restoration efforts of the swamp.
It is great to see local communities come together on conservation matters, it is clear that more can be achieved once conservation efforts are localized and communities are involved, sensitized and educated on the benefits of natural resources in their environs.