Government unveils stringent measures to protect wetlands

The government has introduced stringent regulations to protect wetlands. The draft Environmental Management and Coordination (Conservation and Management of Wetlands) Regulations, have been introduced by the Environment Ministry, and are currently undergoing public participation.

In Kenya, wetlands cover about three to four per cent of the country’s land surface area, which translates to around 14,000 square kilometres.

Water and wetlands are inseparable and vital to life, human well-being and the health of the planet. Today, more freshwater is being used than nature can replenish.

Wetlands biomass is responsible for keeping rivers at a normal level as they hold water and release it to rivers as needed.

An acre of wetland can store as much as 1.5 million gallons of floodwater. Despite their role, wetlands face serious threats.

Encroachment on wetlands for agriculture, settlement, industrial and infrastructural development has led to a loss of many wetlands. It is for this reason that the tough new rules have been unveiled.

The regulations apply to the management of inland, coastal and marine, lake and river basin wetlands, both natural and man-made, wetlands, both natural and manmade, whether occurring on private, public or community land.

The new regulations will have all shores of some of the lakes specified in the regulations have a protected zone of 50 metres measured inland from the high-water mark.

The lakes listed include Amboseli, Bogoria, Chala, Elementaita, Jipe, Kamnarok, Kanyaboli, Kenyatta, Kwenia, Logipi, Magadi, Moa, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nyamboyo, OlBolossat, Sare, Simbi, Solai, Turkana and Victoria.

For the shores of the lakes not listed in the regulations, a protected zone of 30 metres from the high-water mark will be observed.

“The shore of the ocean shall have a protection zone of 60 metres measured inland from the high-water mark,” part of the regulation states.

The regulation also lists a number of rivers that must have a protection zone of 30 metres from the highest watermark.

They include Athi-Galana-Sabaki, Chania (Nyeri), Daua, Ewaso Ng’iro North, Ewaso Ng’iro South, Gucha – Kuja – Migori, Kerio, Lumi, Malewa, Mara, Mbagathi (Ngong), Mogonga, Mukurumudzi, Nairobi and Naromoru. Njoro, Nyando, Nzoia, Ramisi, Ruiru, Sio, Sondu Miriu, Suam, Tana, Tharaka, Thika, Tiva, Tsavo, Turkwel, Umba and Yala must have a protection zone of 30 metres measured inland from the highest water mark of the river.

Rivers not listed shall have a protected zone of twice the rivers width measured inland from the high-water mark of the river.

The regulations say springs shall have a protected zone minimum of six metres measured from the eye of the spring.