Community Perspectives on Water Quality and Land Cover Change in the Micro-Catchments of the Nyando River Basin, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

Abstract

The Nyando River Basin, a critical part of the Lake Victoria Basin, faces increasing pressure on its water resources due to rapidly changing land cover and intensified human activities, which directly impact the quality and availability of water for local communities. Despite these challenges, limited research has documented community perspectives on how land cover dynamics influence water quality in the micro-catchments, creating a gap in evidence needed for participatory watershed management. Therefore, this study aims to assess community perspectives on water quality and land cover change in five micro-catchments of the Nyando River Basin within the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya. The study employed a Citizen Science approach to gather community perspectives. The target population consisted of households and key stakeholders living within a one-kilometer radius of the Chebirirkut, Kimatkei, Kaplelmet, Sitoi, and Kibwareng micro-catchments. A purposive sample of 20 respondents was selected, with this data supplemented through additional interviews and informal discussions to ensure a thorough collection of community perspectives. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed strong linkages between land cover change and perceived water quality. Communities in Chebirirkut, where indigenous vegetation cover remained high (≈90%), reported consistently good water quality, attributing this to forest conservation. In highly impacted areas like Kimatkei and Kibwareng, communities reported significant deterioration in water quality, often characterized by brownish color during rains, and a decrease in water quantity, with streams occasionally drying up. They attributed these negative changes to intensive farming, cultivation near river banks, increased use of inorganic fertilizers, and the introduction of exotic tree species (e.g., Eucalyptus). Conversely, the well-conserved Chebirirkut micro-catchment, with intact forest cover, reported consistently good water quality and stable flow, validating the community's belief that conservation keeps water clean. Across all sites, respondents linked declining water quality to deforestation, poor farming practices, agrochemical use, and population-driven land pressure. Positive interventions such as tree planting, soil and water conservation structures, and forest protection were acknowledged where present. The key recommendation put forth by the communities was the urgent need for grass-roots sensitization and capacity building to promote sustainable agriculture and conservation practices, emphasizing the value of incorporating local knowledge into effective environmental management.