Abstract:
Lakes play a pivotal role in supporting biodiversity and serving as reservoirs of easily
accessible surface water resources, making them integral components of both the blue
economy and local livelihood systems. In recent times, the water levels of Kenyan lakes
have exhibited fluctuations, with a noteworthy upward trend observed over the past
two decades. This increase in water levels has led to shoreline flooding, displacing
communities residing in proximity to these lakes. The repercussions have been
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profound, encompassing human and animal casualties and a loss of biodiversity within
these regions. This study centers its focus on ten economically significant Kenyan lakes:
Baringo, Bogoria, Elementaita, Jipe, Magadi, Naivasha, Nakuru, Olbolosat, Turkana,
and Victoria. Leveraging geospatial data derived from satellite remote sensing and
hydrological information sourced from spaceborne platforms, the research employs
trend analysis techniques to scrutinize the temporal evolution of lake water levels and
to pinpoint their likely determinants. The study's findings reveal a substantial
transformation in lake water levels over the last decade, manifesting a distinct and
consistent upward trajectory during the study period. Climate change, intricately
connected to environmentally degrading human activities such as land clearance for
agriculture and infrastructure development, emerges as the primary catalyst behind
these fluctuations. The implications of these findings extend to various domains,
including integrated water resources management, environmental monitoring, and
property development within Kenya and the broader region. This study and its future
endeavors stand to gain from the recent advancements in space technologies for earth
observation, notably exemplified by Kenya's recently launched Taifa-1 earth
observation nanosatellite. These innovations facilitate enhanced spatial-temporal
monitoring capabilities, crucial for the sustainable management of natural resources.
In light of the study's outcomes, it is recommended that similar methodologies and data
sources be employed to establish a systematic and ongoing monitoring and assessment
framework for lake water levels. Such an approach holds the potential to inform
evidence-based policies and decisions, safeguarding critical natural resources and
ensuring their sustainable stewardship for generations to come.
