Protect Rivers, Protect People

On 14th March, the world celebrates the International Day of Action for Rivers, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting rivers and the communities that depend on them. This year’s theme, “Protect Rivers, Protect People,” strongly resonated with me as I joined the day’s activities as a volunteer with Greenpeace Africa , Kenya.

The event brought together several stakeholders including a local community-based organization called Visionaris, the Water Resources Authority, the Water Resource Users Association of Kiuu River, environmental officials from Kiambu County, and community members from Mwihoko town. Together, we gathered to reflect, learn, and take action toward restoring our rivers.

We began the day with a word of prayer before walking along the banks of Kiuu River to assess the state of the river. What we saw was deeply worrying. The river was in a terrible condition. Solid waste had accumulated along the banks, and the water had turned dark and polluted. In several places, farming activities were taking place very close to  river Kiuu, with some farmers using synthetic pesticides.

Representatives from Visionaris explained how these pesticides eventually wash into the river and move through the food chain, affecting not only the environment but also human health. This discussion reminded all of us that environmental health and public health are inseparable.

One of the most eye-opening moments of the day came when a scientist from Ondiri Wetland demonstrated how water quality testing is conducted. She tested water from Kiuu River, and the results were shocking. The test revealed the presence of heavy metals in the water.

She explained that even if people do not drink the river water directly, the contamination still finds its way back to humans. Crops grown along the river absorb the polluted water, and these pollutants eventually enter the food chain. Hearing this was a stark reminder that the health of our rivers directly impacts the health of our communities.

Another key lesson from the day was the interconnected nature of river systems. Rivers do not exist in isolation. For example, Mbagathi River, Mathare River, Nairobi River, Gatharaini River, and Kiuu River eventually flow into Athi River, which later drains into Sabaki River before finally emptying into the Indian Ocean. This means pollution in one river can travel long distances, affecting ecosystems and communities far beyond its source.

Personally, this issue is very close to my heart. I grew up along the banks of Nzoia River, where our livelihoods depended on the river. The river supported farming, fishing, and daily household needs of my family. Even today, many communities continue to rely on Nzoia River for survival. My connection to rivers is therefore deeply personal.

This year’s celebration  and experience reminded me that protecting rivers is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot only blame governments while our daily actions continue to harm our environment.

We must start by changing our behavior:

• Sort waste at the household level before disposal.
• Stop building along riverbanks.
• Stop releasing raw sewage into rivers.
• Reduce the use of harmful synthetic pesticides.
• Stop dumping solid waste into rivers.

If we truly want a healthy future for our communities and ecosystems, we must protect the rivers that sustain life.

On this International Day of Action for Rivers, I join voices around the world calling for urgent action.

Let us protect our rivers, because when we protect rivers, we protect people, biodiversity, and our shared future.