ON 2nd February 2009 we will be commemorating the World Wetlands Day.
The theme/slogan for WWD 2009 is Upstream-Downstream: Wetlands connect us all, is designed around a theme of wetlands and river basin management - the role our wetlands play in their surrounding environments.

The theme is very much relevant to Kenya given the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other stakeholders aimed at conserving the Nairobi River Basin.

Furthermore, NEMA has gazetted the EMCA Waste Management and Water Quality Regulations 2006 which will assist in minimizing pollution and degradation of the water resources in the country.

The World Wetlands Day is also coming at the right time when the National Wetland, River bank, Lake Shores and Sea Shore regulations are due for gazettement. Kenya’s National Wetland Policy is also due for approval by the Cabinet. All these are Kenyan Government efforts to ensure that there is wise use of our wetland resources.

For Kenya, the National Celebrations will be held at the Sabaki Estuary in Malindi district. The buildup activities will be held at Kikuyu town on 24th January 2009.

These will include clean up of the town and tree planting activities at Ondiri swamp, one of the sources of the Nairobi river which empties into the Athi river or Sabaki river at it is referred to at its downstream section. This will provide the linkage between the upstream and downstream as provided for in the theme.

SUMMARY

TITLE: World Wetlands Day, 2009

VENUE: Malindi

TIME: 8 AM

DATE: 2/2/2009