Empowering Communities: A Water Quality Citizen Science Initiative in the Yala River Basin (Kenya)

Water quality degradation in rivers and lakes is increasingly driven by pollution from multiple sources, often exceeding the natural purification capacity of aquatic ecosystems. These pressures are further intensified by global changes such as urbanization, land use transformation, and climate variability. However, despite broad recognition of these impacts, the lack of consistent and accessible water quality data, particularly in developing contexts, continues to limit evidence-based decision-making and effective environmental governance.

The Yala River Basin, covering approximately 3,351 km² in western Kenya, is a vital resource supporting domestic water use, agriculture, and aquatic biodiversity. Yet, the basin is facing growing environmental pressures, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution, which threaten water quality and ecosystem functioning. Addressing these challenges requires both strengthened monitoring systems and increased local capacity to generate and interpret water quality information.

This project proposes a citizen science-based water quality monitoring initiative that engages senior high school students and local communities in systematic data collection and interpretation. The initiative is designed not only to generate water quality evidence, but also to strengthen environmental awareness, stewardship, and local participation in conservation and governance processes.