The Impact of Human Activities on the Lake Ecosystem A Case Study of Lake Victoria Shore, Nyando Division, Kisumu District-Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The study was to investigate how human activities along Lake Victoria shores in Nyando division, have led to resources degradation, and to come up with solutions to reduce such effects on the lake ecosystem. The main objective was to determine the effects of human activities on the people and the aquatic environment along Lake Victoria shores in Nyando division-Kisumu~ Kenya. The methods used for data collection involved both qualitative and ,quantitative techniques. Questionnaires alongside face to face interviews were the tools used. Findings indicated that human activities to were largely responsible ~for aquatic! lake degradation. Circumstances of water pollution, wetland reclamation, and waste disposal into the water, uncontrolled fishing and increased èonstruction debris disposal into the lake were as a result of human activities. The researcher noted that what used to be the native mangrove vegetation and wetland/lake shore bogs have been severely cleared for settlement and establishment of business centres. Lake Shore ecosystem. However, the knowledge of awareness amongst the local population in Nyando division regarding the lake degradation was low, with about 20% of the population completely un aware of any changes in the water ecosystem. The researcher’s fear was that most degradation noticed on the lake ard aquatic ecosystem was anthropogenically induced and the population and ~lemand for resources continue to increase given the increasing human ~population. Recommendations include: - the government must therefore continue to invest heavily in providing logistical support in order to provide residents of Nyando with the much needed funds and training on how to conserve Lake Victoria shores/resources and other lakes in Kenya irrespective of their region of origin, income status, gender, religion and nay other disparities. Kenya Government must invest in people by expanding access to funds, the neediest and providing for working poor, those unable to work and special vulnerable and targeting marginalized groups.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF PLATES

LIST OF FIGURES xi

ABBREVIATIONS xii

ABSTRACT xiv

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background to the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Objectives of the study 3

1.4 Research questions 4

1.5 Scope of the study 4

1.6 Significant of the study 5

1.7 Conceptual framework 6

CHAPTER TWO 7

LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.1 Human activities carried out around Lake Victoria shores 7

2.2 Effects of human activities on Lake Victoria ~ 13

2.2.1 Water Hyacinth and Algal Blooms .13

2.3 strategies that has been put in place to control human activities on the source of Lake Victoria 14

2.4 People’s attitudes towards the strategies that has been put in place to conserve Lake Victoria shores 19

CHAPTER THREE 20

METHODOLOGY 20

3.1 Research Design 20

3.2 Location of the study Area 20

3.3 Climate of the Area 20

3.4 Study population 20

3.5 Sample size and sampling procedures 21

3.7 Research Instruments 22

3.7.1 Use of structured questionnaires 22

3.7.3 Observation Checklists and Photographing 22

3.8 Data Analysis 22

3.9 Ethical considerations 23

CHAPTER FOUR 24

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 24

4.0 Introduction 24

4.1 Demographics of respondents 24

4.1.1 Age of respondents 24

Table 1: Age of respondents 24

4.1.2 Sex of respondents 25

4.1.3 Educational background ~25

4.1.4 Occupation of respondents 26

4.1.5 Number of people in a house hold 26

4.2 The impact of human activities along Lake Victoria shores 27

4,3 Effects of human activities on the people and the aquatic environment 29

4.4 Strategies that has been put in place to control the effects human activities carried out on the of Lake Victoria 30

CHAPTER FIVE 31

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 31

5.1 Conclusion 31

5.3 Areas for Further Research 33

REFERENCES 34

APPENDICES 36

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS 36

APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW INFORMANT GUIDE (FOR LOCAL LEADERS, CIVIL

WORKERS, NGOS, CBOS) 42