Effect of Human Activities on the Ecosystem of Areas Surrounding Lake Elelementaita Naivasha Sub County Kenya

Aims: The paper aims at identifying human activities that cause environmental degradation around Lake Elementaita. This study focused on the potential role of local communities in addressing ecological problems around Lake Elementaita ecosystem.
Study Design: This study was a survey research design.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out from April to August 2011 around Lake Elementaita in Kenya.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire was administered to 183 households that were randomly selected. This data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics was used to determine the mean and standard deviations, inferential statistics was used to determine the relationship among variables and between dependent and independent variables. A focus group discussion was conducted for different stakeholders who included: local community leaders, ranchers, conservation groups, community based organizations and Kenya Wildlife Services to share the research findings.
Results: The results from this research showed that rapid population growth, overstocking, poor farming practices and unsustainable resource exploitation practices resulted in increased soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats and biodiversity around Lake Elementaita riparian zone. There was no significant association in the perceptions on conservation of the residents in the three sites (X2 =5.881, ‘‘d’’.f=4, p=.208).Implying similar perception amongst residents in the study sites. Results also revealed that it was only perception about importance of firewood that was significantly associated with the site of residence of the respondents with chi square results of 10.414 and p value of .034.
Conclusion: Rapid population growth, overstocking, poor farming practices and unsustainable resource exploitation practices resulted in increased soil erosion, pollution, loss of habitats and biodiversity around Lake Elementaita. It was noted that there is an urgent need for the government together with all stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive participatory management wetland policy. This would strengthen coordination among government and non-government agencies operating within this riparian zone. Alternative sources of livelihood should be provided for the communities living around Lake Elementaita.