Lake Kanyaboli: Restoring a Vital Wetland Ecosystem

Lake Kanyaboli, located within the Yala Swamp in Siaya County, is one of Kenya’s most important freshwater ecosystems. Recognized as Kenya’s largest oxbow lake and among Africa’s largest, it serves as a critical refuge for rare fish species, papyrus-endemic birds, and wetland wildlife that depend on this unique habitat.

For surrounding communities, Lake Kanyaboli is more than a natural resource; it is a source of livelihood, food security, cultural identity, and eco-tourism potential. However, the lake faces growing threats from wetland degradation, poor sanitation, overuse of natural resources, inadequate infrastructure, and climate-related pressures.