KENYA’S BEAUTIFUL WATERWAYS

Water is the lifeblood of Kenya’s diverse ecosystems, sustaining a magnificent array of life. From elephants to the tiniest insects, every creature relies on this precious resource for survival.

71% of our ‘Blue Planet’ is covered in water. Yet access to fresh water isn’t always simple. It ebbs and flows across our globe in an uneven balance.

In Kenya, annual droughts put the resilience of the ecosystem to the test. Periods of endurance for wildlife and people, and a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains life. In the Samburu communities around Sasaab, women gather during the dry months to perform a special ritual known as ntorosi. With a feverous energy they dance and sing for several days, seeking offerings which enable them to communicate with Nkai (God). During such ceremonies, gourds of milk are blessed and thrown onto the dry riverbed to request rain.

When the long-awaited rains finally arrive, they bring a wave of transformation that breathes life back into the landscape. In the misty realms of Kenya’s high-altitude forests, critical catchment areas or ‘water towers’ to the nation are replenished. Mountain forest ecosystems such as the Aberdares, Mount Kenya and the Mau Forest Complex act as guardians of Kenya’s rivers and streams, holding water like giant sponges. Every leaf plays a crucial role in catching and generating the rainfall that flows into rivers below and each tree helps ensure that a slow process of infiltration replenishes ground water.

As rivers, lakes and waterholes once again become the veins of the safari world, they reveal a stunning diversity of life that depends on them. These waterways are more than sources of hydration; they are social hubs and often a stage for the intricate dance of survival and predation.

We find ourselves drawn to the reflective magic of Kenya’s waterways and their natural ability to calm and soothe. Lakes, rivers and oceans mirror the vast landscapes around them, creating breathtaking scenes. Sunsets sparkle on lakes and morning light makes dew drops glisten on grass.

The water we celebrate today has been on an eternal journey, cycling through the Earth’s systems for billions of years. Its intricate dance sustains life on Earth.