• About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Meet our Donors
    • News
  • Issues
    • Safety
    • Opportunity
    • Reporting
    • Recognition
    • Equity
  • Programs
    • Reporting Fellowships
      • Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship
      • ¡Exprésate! LGBTQI+ Reporting Initiative
      • Gender Justice Reporting Initiative
      • Global Health Reporting Initiative
      • Round Earth Media
    • Grants & Funds
      • Fund For Women Journalists
      • Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T
      • Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism
      • Kim Wall Memorial Fund
      • Reproductive Rights Reporting Fund
      • Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice in the Americas
    • Physical & Digital Safety
      • Online Abuse and Harassment
      • Hostile Environment Training
      • Next Gen Safety Trainers
      • Women in Politics and Media
    • Mentorship & Professional Development
      • Gwen Ifill Mentorship Program
      • Fellowship Program for Afghan Women Journalists in Exile
    • Emergency Assistance
      • Emergency Fund for Women Journalists
      • Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund
      • Alex Duval Smith Memorial Fund
    • Past Programs
  • Reporting
  • Community
  • Awards
    • Anja Niedringhaus Award
    • Courage in Journalism Award
    • Gwen Ifill Award
    • Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award
  • Resources
    • Self Care & Trauma
    • Research
    • Impact Reports
    • Webinars
  • Search
Search Donate
Reporting

Conservation research not a priority for Kenyans, says Senior Warden

April 20, 2021 | Sophie Mbugua | Africa Climate Conversations

Located in the Rift Valley, Lake Bogoria National Reserve is a stunning place. It is adorned by a pink cloud of flamingos and geysers bubbling with the most spectacular hot water volcanic springs. But unfortunately, James Kimaru, the Lake Bogoria National Reserve Senior warden, told the Africa Climate Conversations that the lake has increased by more than 10 kilometres, and 90 percent of these hot springs are underwater.

“With the rising temperatures resulting to enhanced rains the alkaline Lake Bogoria, fresh water lakes Baringo and Lake 94 might merge resulting to a massive biodiversity loss as a result. Kenyan’s lack of interest in research for low financial allocation on conservation research,” Kimaru warned.

Also listen to previous climate change impacts on mental health episodes 

Annually the lake earns Kenya between Kshs70-80 million, but visits have reduced by over 95 percent over the last year.But despite its tourist attraction and revenue generation Kimaru says only five percent of the Baringo county – home to three flooded rift valley lakes budget goes to conservation research.

“A lot of research has been conducted in terms of water quality, inflow rates and soil texture but none has ever been done on the lake’s level increase. The phenomenon has not been experienced,” Kimaru told the Africa Climate conversations.

The episode is part of the mental health and climate change series, made possible by a grant from the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists.

About the Author

Sophie Mbugua

Sophie Mbugua is an Environmental Journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in Climate Change reporting. Sophie produces and presents the Africa Climate Conversations Podcast - a weekly 30 minutes podcast… Read More.

Original Publication
Africa Climate Conversations
Related Topics
Environment
Health
More From This Author
Flooding and drought fuels mental health crisis in Kenya Climate-related loss and damage: Who pays? Displaced and forgotten: Kenya’s Rift Valley lake’s floods a year later. See All

Sign Up For Our Mailing List

Mission

We unleash the potential of women journalists as champions of press freedom to transform the global news media.

Address

1625 K Street NW, Suite 1275
Washington, DC 20006, USA

Contact Us

info@iwmf.org
(+1) 202-496-1992

Connect
Privacy Terms of Service

Copyright © 2023 International Women's Media Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
Nonprofit Web Design by NMC.