The fortunes and misfortunes Of River Njoro

By Eric Sindabi

Rivers have always been linked to the origins of societies and with civilization. In many ways rivers helped give rise to organized communities as people settled besides flowing water bodies. Excavations in caves near river banks for example realize this.
Njoro River situated in the west of Nakuru town is one of the major watershed resources in Rift Valley.The River sources in the Mau escarpment forest and mouths in Lake Nakuru after covering an approximated 200km way. Never the less the controversies, mysteries and wonders that accompany Njoro River are beyond description.

Over population of people and livestock on the river’s basin due to massive settlements has caused great damages to the water body that is viewed as being key to the survival of the famed Lake Nakuru and its pink birds-Flamingos. Research shows that deforestation and removal of other vegetation cover around the river coupled with excessive pollution renders the river vulnerable for extinction. However as much as being speculated about the conservation of the Mau efforts to sustain the survival of Njoro River is wanting, as the river continue to experience excessive human related pressure.
Decline in the width, speed, depth, natural form and chemical content of the river is as result of massive destruction activities upon the river by the locals. A close survey on the river’s middle course around Egerton University and Njoro town where it meanders through depicts a gloomy future for the survival of the water body.
Njoro river is the main source of water for domestic consumption, industrial, and agricultural related needs. Encroachments near the river banks enhance access to the river by residents of Njoro who all along lack tapped water incentives. Erosion causes the worst of pollution of the river due to release of human, animal and industrial and agricultural waste into the river. Despite of efforts by stake holders including the National Environmental Management Board to protect the river little is in the offing.
A recently concluded stakeholders research report that was based at the local Egerton University exposed a bleak situation of Njoro River and suggested for a sustainable management of the water shed.
The research programme dabbed; Sustainable Management of Water Resources (SUMAWA) comprised of natural environment researchers drawn from various local and international stakeholders. They included local and foreign higher learning institutions and government agencies.
The research by SUMAWA comprised of surveys on the views and attitudes of the local about the river and the various effects long term health effects on humans upon consumption of the rivers contaminated water. The project like undertook the task of educating the local on the virtues of conserving the river and on the dangers of consuming un treated river water. Consequently SUMAWA set up signboards all over along the river in its middle course to sensitize its pledges.

Njoro River is famed for its archaeological, geographical attributes and as a major watershed for the survival of Flamingoes in Lake Nakuru. The pink birds attract thousands of tourists in Kenya annually. However recent environmental reports hint that Kenya risks loosing the migratory birds to lake Natron in Tanzania if the Lake Nakuru conservation efforts are not up held.
In 1930’s Mary Leaky the then renowned Kenyan based British Archaeologist excavated Iron Age tools at Njoro cave near the river’s source. This archaeological work put the river on the world map as one of the centers of archaeology in the world. Coupled with unique riparian vegetation and other geographical formations Njoro river is worth its fame but worry is its destruction. As much said and done over this water body, it still sounds a mystery to fully classify it thus so much is left behind to be desired and always time will tell.