World Wetlands Day 2025 at Ondiri Swamp

On February 2, 2025, the Environment Institute of Kenya (EIK) commemorated World Wetlands Day at Ondiri Swamp in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” The World Wetlands Day marks the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), signed in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971. The event highlights the vital role of wetlands as lifelines that sustain biodiversity, regulate climate, and provide clean water for human well-being. Activities included a tree-planting exercise and a Conservation Run at Ondiri Wetland, Kenya’s largest peat wetland.

Ondiri Swamp, historically referred to as ‘Kihenia’ (meaning shiny surface), was once an open lake that reflected sunlight. The arrival of white settlers led to its renaming as Old Lake, which local communities pronounced as Ondiri, a name that endures today. This highland peat bog is a crucial water source for Nairobi and surrounding areas, yet it faces escalating environmental threats, including siltation, pollution from riparian farming, and peat degradation. The gradual accumulation of shallow peat and reeds has shaped Ondiri’s distinctive boggy landscape, making its preservation imperative.

Despite mounting pressures such as pollution, over exploitation, and encroachment, Ondiri Swamp remains a beacon of ecological resilience. Conservation efforts led by Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) and other stakeholders continue to yield impactful interventions, including reforestation, wetland fencing, sustainable agriculture, and community education. These initiatives exemplify the power of collaborative action in reversing ecological degradation and fostering long-term sustainability.

This year’s celebration coincided with preparations for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, set to take place in July at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This upcoming global conference emphasizes the need to broaden conservation efforts beyond forests to include wetlands, which are equally vital for ecosystem balance and human well-being.

As we reflect on this year’s World Wetlands Day, we recognize that protecting wetlands is not just an environmental obligation—it is a shared responsibility for both people and nature. The resilience of Ondiri and similar wetlands worldwide depends on sustained efforts in conservation, policy advocacy, and community engagement.