Lake Magadi, Kenya’s Only Source of Soda Ash on the Verge of Extinction
Lake Magadi, Kenya’s only source of soda ash, could vanish in the next five years, environmental experts have warned.
The lake is facing imminent extinction due to increased human activity leading to siltation, according to a report by the National Environment and Complaints Committee (NECC).
NECC secretary Dr. John Chumo said heightened degradation activities through cultivation have been observed in all of the lake’s five catchment areas in Narok County including Nairagie-Enkare, Kormoto, Oloitip, Suswa, and Oltapot.
“The upper catchment areas are 2,000 meters above sea level, making the lake vulnerable to siltation due to soil deposits carried by River Kisamis downwards,” Dr. Chumo said.
The committee established that 30 percent of the water body is already covered by silt. The lake earns Kenya in excess of Sh5 billion in forex annually in addition to supporting livelihoods in the area.
The lake has shrunk in size for the past 15 years and experts warn it will cease to exist in five years’ time if no measures are taken to protect it.
Chumo has called for concerted efforts between the Ministry of Environment, Lands, Water, and Transport to save the precious lake.
Comments
This devastating threat as…
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This devastating threat as the government watches! Do we need another handshake to solve this?
Let it vanish. The British…
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In reply to This devastating threat as… by Kamande (not verified)
Let it vanish. The British have a 99 lease
Sometimes you just have to…
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Sometimes you just have to let nature run its course. Lakes, mountains, and islands will come and go. We need to embrace change instead of fighting it.
I disagree, if its something…
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In reply to Sometimes you just have to… by Mumbi (not verified)
I disagree, if its something that's within our control and can be reversed/fixed, let necessary action be taken. We as humans have a moral and social impact on the environment lets take ownership and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
This will lead to severe…
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This will lead to severe ecological imbalance. The government needs to do something.
It is not Kenya's only…
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It is not Kenya's only source of soda ash. I think it is more accurate to say that it was, originally, the British owned ICI's, International Chemical Industries' monopoly source of soda ash in Kenya. Magadi Soda was a wholly owned British company business since the 1800s that started as Brunner Mond (UK) Limited, a UK-based chemicals company. It later became a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals Limited, itself a part of the India-based Tata Group. Its products are soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride and associated alkaline chemicals. in 2005, the current owners,Tata Chemicals,published a sustainability report that, in part, states a commitment to creating prosperity through the responsible use of Magadi's natural resources. The media report about the impending extinction of Lake Magadi patently contradicts Tat Chemicals Limited's mission statement about creating prosperity through the responsible use of Magadi's resources.
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