How can the ecological health of Kenya's running waters be measured at a time of Increasing demand upon them?

Water is essential to life and, in the Naivasha catchment, most lives depend upon surface waters for domestic consumption, yet nothing is known about the ecological health of surface waters. Biodiversity is the critical underpinning of all ecosystems in the catchment, yet almost nothing is known about the biodiversity of rivers. Catchment streams of Naivasha have been surveyed for invertebrates using standard field techniques (quantitative collections using Surber samplers within defined habitats.) Samples were identified to lowest taxonomic level using the Keys for South African invertebrates recently published. Taxa were enumerated by each habitat and habitat data then combined to provide comprehensive site data. Habitat data were then used to produce biodiversity maps and abundance information. Site data were then used to develop biological water quality indices The results are evaluated against the limited existing knowledge of Kenya’s running waters.