Impacts of anthropogenic activities on enkare narok river, Narok town municipality.

Abstract

Water bodies are the most essential productive ecosystem on the world. They tend to play an essential role of supporting both flora and fauna by providing services and goods such as the mitigation of drought, reduction of the impacts of floods, and supply and storage of water for domestic and industrial uses among others. This research study aimed to identify the types of the anthropogenic activities along Enkare-Narok River and their impacts, and the contribution of the public and relevant institutions within the area of study towards its conservation and protection. Key informant interviews were conducted with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ewaso Ngiro South Development Authority (ENSDA), Narok Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO), Little Narok Water Company (LNWC), Ministry of National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI)-County Government, Ministry of Agriculture (MA), Narok Referral Hospital-Public Health Office (NRHPHO),Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA), Community Based Organization (CBO); Water Resource Users Association (WRUA) and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM) - Narok County Government operating within the area of study so as to get information on the types of the anthropogenic which are being carried out along the river, their impacts and contribution of both public and concerned institutions towards conservation and protection of the river. Purposive sampling was done while basing on the targeted population. Primary data was obtained through observation schedules, key informant interviews and photography. Secondary data was obtained from the existing information, both published and unpublished. The study established that there are negative impacts on the river due to anthropogenic activities which are being carried out along it. This was attributed to many factors including poor agricultural activities, change in land use pattern, urban sprawl, quarrying and washing vehicles and clothes on the river bank. The study also came up with various recommendations including: proper policy formulations, implementation and enforcement of water resource management strategies, restrict and guide use of surface water, full decentralization of government functions to the lowest levels possible and review of water abstraction policies.