Effects of Human Activities on the Nile Basin: Lessons from Kenya

Abstract

Kenya has five major water towers arising from indigenous montane forest areas. Lake Victoria drainage basin is of special interest as nearly half of the country’s population lives in this basin. It is endowed with abundant water and other natural resources. Destruction of water towers and lack of proper harnessing of the other four water towers, places more pressure on Lake Victoria drainage system, which produces water for drinking, domestic, agricultural and industrial use, fisheries, biodiversity, and hydropower, among others. The systematic destruction of the Mau Complex in particular has had adverse effects in the nation’s weather pattern in general and the Nile (Lake Victoria) basin in particular. The paper documents the specific human activities on the Mau Complex and the Lake Victoria drainage system and their overall effect on the Nile basin. Research methods were in qualitative form. The qualitative study focused on secondary data (archival sources). Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Recommendation for policy is highlighted as it is hoped that the results of the study will improve our understanding on the Nile Basin and support policy-makers in designing better future policy.