MANGUO SWAMP: A CALL FOR PROTECTION.

Written by: Hussein Waiyaki

A wetland is a unique ecosystem in which stagnant water, either perennial or ephemeral, floods a specific area of land, resulting in prevalent anaerobic processes. Wetlands contribute significantly to environmental sustainability by purifying and storing water, processing various nutrients, and supporting a wide range of flora and fauna. Wetlands are regarded as highly biodiverse ecosystems, housing numerous animal and plant species.

?Manguo Swamp is a significant landmark in Limuru, situated along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. This prominent feature attracts both local and international visitors.

At 6:00 a.m., birds of various colors and species peck at the grass and reeds while others swim in the small remaining pools at Manguo Swamp on the Nairobi-Naivasha highway. However, the swamp currently contains less than a quarter of its water capacity, and extensive human activities nearby have raised concerns among experts about its risk. This situation reflects the condition of many Kenyan swamps, particularly those near urban centers affected by encroachment.

Numerous human activities, including swimming, cattle grazing, and drawing water for domestic and agricultural purposes, are prevalent at the swamp. As the world commemorated Wetlands Day 2025 with the theme "Protecting Wetlands for a Common Future," experts emphasized the importance of acknowledging wetland preservation efforts.?

During the World Wetlands Day 2025 event in Ondiri, Kikuyu, Kenya's Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary, Eng Festus Nge'no, highlighted the urgency of protecting this vital ecosystem and ongoing multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at ensuring the wetland's long-term viability. Manguo Swamp is among the areas identified for urgent protection.?

In the local language (Kikuyu), "Manguo" means hippo. Hippos once inhabited the swamp, but their current whereabouts are unknown. Coordinated efforts are needed to safeguard the swamp from degradation caused by human activities. Manguo was also a source of the river Ithanji, which no longer exists. A research paper on "Wetlands and Drylands Management" shows that Manguo played a critical role in managing water around Limuru and provided an outlet during heavy rains (Mungai, 1993).?

Wetlands supply water, protect against floods and droughts, and provide food and livelihoods for millions. They support rich biodiversity and store more carbon than any other ecosystem, yet their value is often overlooked by policymakers.

The wetlands have been used for crop cultivation, further reducing their capacity and risking pollution from organic waste. Nearby, a slaughterhouse discharges wastewater into the swamp, and herds of cows graze and defecate around it, exacerbating pollution issues. According to local residents, this contributes significantly to the swamp's frequent drying. Those who once depended on Manguo Swamp for their water needs now use boreholes provided by development agencies due to its deteriorating condition.

The impact of boreholes on the wetland remains unknown, but ongoing water extraction could lower the water table, putting the wetland at risk of turning into dry land and jeopardizing its biodiversity and environmental benefits. Locals have already experienced the effects: bird populations have decreased significantly. Previously, there were 109 species of birds, including flamingos and herons, but these species are now absent, and ducks have become the predominant species observed in the swamp, albeit in reduced numbers.

This highlights the need for coordinated conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems for future generations.?

References

Mungai, P. M. "Wetland and dryland management." Wetlands of Kenya (1993).