The government has been urged to fence all water sources that feed big rivers with clean water to reduce and stop pollution.
Environmentalists say that water levels have risen at Ondiri Wetland in Kikuyu subcounty since the water source was fenced last year by the Water Resource Management Authority.
Friends of Ondiri Wetlands coordinator David Wakogy says a lot of effort is needed.
He sad they started by enlightening residents about the impact of throwing garbage in the rivers, water sources and streams.
Wakogy added that they also embarked on removing unfriendly trees along the wetland which is among the Nairobi river water source such as Blue Gum, and left water sources friendly trees growing.
He was speaking on Friday during a breakfast meeting in Kikuyu town with environmental stakeholders before taking them round the wetland.
Among them were Kiambu water and environment executive David Kuria, Warma Nairobi region manager Robinson Kimari, Nema environmental officer Caroline Muriuki and Kikuyu deputy county commissioner Lawrence Kinyua.
Wakogy urged the government to fence all water sources and swamps to protect them from being polluted.
“We are happy to realise that the water level has risen. The water is clear,” he said without giving the measurement of the water levels.
However, he decried that people have continued to throw waste in streams flowing in their villages and estates, regardless of the environmental sensitisation done.
Muriuki said Nema has embarked on educating people about protecting the rivers and streams flowing near them.
“We have garages near rivers and they drain waste in them, we have plots which also do the same, buildings being built near rivers and contractors do the same. We are targeting all these groups to educate them,” the Nema official said.
Kimari said bush climber vegetation has grown on the 3.7Km wire mesh fence in Ondiri Wetland making it beautiful, adding that Warma aims at protecting all water sources.
He warned that after fencing and enough sensitisation is done, arresting and prosecuting of those who will be found littering and polluting the water sources will follow.
“Enforcement effort comes at the end. You need to do all protection, involve the public by letting them know the wrong they will have done,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
