Status of Dam on Mathare River

Report to stakeholders presented on 21st October 2015 in the Principal’s Boardroom, CAVS

Prof. David N. MungaiWangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 1 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Our Vision

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 2 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

To be a universal centre of excellence in training, research, outreach and consultancy services in agriculture, veterinary, biomedical, environmental and natural resource sciences in order to realize sustainable and secure livelihoods

Supplies water to the College for: Crop and livestock production Experiments, field trials and seed

multiplication for National & International Research Institutes – KARLO, ILRI, CIP, ICRAF

Fish farming Biogas project

Importance of the Dam

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 3 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Water pump breakdown in April 2013 due to river obstruction. Effects Financial loses of about KES 10 million / yr ICRISAT has lost 3 tons of seed due to lack of

irrigation water CIP could not conduct experiments No research by staff & students No field trials

First signs of effects of development

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 4 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Fish ponds are dry – no teaching and no fish production

The biogas plant is not operating optimally due to inadequate water for mixing

First signs of effects of development

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 5 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

If we are not careful?

From this……. To this…….

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 6 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Weir and gate across Mathare River

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 7 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Effects of flooding on water pump

Damaged water pump New pump house

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 8 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Construction on steep, unstable valley sides – detached gabions and falling

trees

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 9 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Fallen tree after heavy rains in May 2015

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 10 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

The two sides compared…..

College side – conserved valley side and riparian zone

Neighbors side – riparian vegetation destroyed, siltation of dam

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 11 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

The two sides compared…..

College side – indigenous spp. conservation

Neighbors side – soil creep into the dam

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 12 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Fish ponds without water and fish

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 13 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Biogas project affected due to inadequate water

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 14 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

NEMA, WARMA and Ministry of Environment (Urban Rivers Restoration Department) have visited the site

Steps taken

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 15 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Our vision of a well protected and conserved wetland

Note cover and distance from water lineNote macorphytes on water line, infiltration trenches to capture runoff, and staff gauge

to measure water levels

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 16 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke

Vision: A world-class university committed to

scholarly excellence

The University of Nairobi

University of Nairobi ISO 9001:2008 17 Certified http://www.uonbi.ac.ke