Kenya: Mara River Risks Drying Up

Jared Nyataya/Daily Nation
(file photo).
20 September 2003
The East African Standard (Nairobi)
By Standard Reporter

Nairobi — Stakeholders in the Mara River Basin have expressed fears that the river will soon dry up because of unchecked human activities.

They noted that the destruction of Mau catchment area, the source of the river, irrigation along the river, lack of land tenure among other activities was threatening the survival of the river.

During a workshop sponsored by World-wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at a Narok hotel, the stakeholders said destruction of river catchment areas for economic gain was bound to lead to the drying up of seven other rivers which end up in Lake Victoria.

They noted that Mara River would be saved if there was political will to enforce environmental laws.

The workshop, which brought together conservationists, large-scale farmers and Ministry of Water officials was told that because of unchecked human activities along the Mara River Basin, according to studies, wild animals were leaving the Mara Game Reserve.

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