Thesis:

Effects of fresh water degradation on human activities: a case of river Athi in Machakos county, Kenya

Freshwater degradation arising from human and industrial-related activities is a global challenge that poses problems to individuals and communities who rely on freshwater resources. The United Nation’s Agenda 21 asks governments, organizations, and communities to ensure equitable and sustainable use of water resource for socioeconomic development. The study’s broad objective was to evaluate the effects of fresh water degradation on human activities along River Athi in Machakos County. The specific objectives were: to assess the effects of fresh water degradation on domestic use, to analyze the effects of fresh water degradation on agricultural activities, and to establish the effect of fresh water degradation on fishing activities in Machakos County, Kenya. To achieve these objectives, the research adopted a descriptive research design through which data was acquired from respondents using quantitative and qualitative procedures. The location of the study was the Athi Catchment Area which is found within latitude 10 to 4.50 South and longitude 370 to 400East. The target population for the study was 2000 persons living within the riparian of the River Athi in Yatta, Athi River and Mwala Sub Counties. Purposive sampling was used to map out the river stretch for the study within Athi River Sub-County from Kithimani to Kayata to Kamuthwa areas while Yamane formula was use to select a sample of 160 respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from 160 respondents who included area residents and key informants. Structured questionnaires and interview guide were used to collect primary data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics was used to review characteristics of the study findings. The findings of descriptive statistics were presented in tables, percentages, frequencies, and graphs. Pearson’s correlation test was used to establish existing relationships between the predictor and the outcome variables. The Pearson Correlation results revealed significant relationships between variables at 95% confidence level as follows; r=0.195, p=0.028 for domestic activities; r=0.215, p=0.015 for fishing activities and r=0.28 for agricultural activities. The study findings revealed that degradation of River Athi had negative significant relationship with domestic, agricultural, and fishing activities in the community that relied on the river as the source of water. This study recommends that the County Government of Machakos should implement mitigation measures to aid in rehabilitating River Athi and to prevent further degradation to preserve the residents’ domestic, fishing, and agricultural activities.