Ondiri Swamp: Second Deepest Wetland in Africa is on the Verge of Extinction

The second deepest wetland in Africa and a critical source of water for Kenya’s populous capital is under the threat of extinction. Ondiri swamp is said to be the second largest wetland after another one that is situated in Douala Cameroon. 

Human encroachment is one of the biggest threats to the existence of the wetland. Human activities such as greenhouse farming and planting eucalyptus trees close to the swamp is pulling a lot of water as argued by conservationists.

Environmental activisits claim that about a half of the papyrus ecosystem was destroyed by fire thus killing and destroying unique birds habitat.

The quaking bog’s ability to produce water is staring at a catastrophe. The swamp is the underground source of Kikuyu Springs and the headwater for Nyongera River which supplies water to Nairobi River. Therefore, the water that is used by most Nairobian’s has its original source from Ondiri.

Ondiri attracted a number of visitors, both locally and abroad, who came to experience the movement of the quaking bog. Quaking bog consists of a vegetation layer that forms a mat of about one meter that covers the water.  

The Swamp that is near Kikuyu town in Kenya has no conspicuous outlet. However, most people living around the region believe that the swamp originated from underground waters from Aberdares. The swamp was once used by Alliance High School for power generation.