Abstract

Josephine M. Mulei , Augustino O. Onkware and Donald F. Otieno

Wetlands in Kenya face continuous threat of destruction by agricultural activies, urbanization and pollution.
However, their floristic compositions remain unkown since research remains restricted to wetlands of national
importance because of their touristic values. A study was conducted in 2006 to determine the species
composition and diversity of the vegetation in four swamps within Uasin Gishu County. Data on species
composition and diversity were collected using belt transects method and analyzed using cluster analysis and
analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two hundred and eighty six plant species belonging to 70 families were
enumerated in the four wetlands, with Leseru swamp having the highest species number (176) and diversity
(4.02). Families Poacea and Asteracea were represented by the highest number of species (41 each). The four
swamps exhibited significantly different levels of human activity and impact; where Chepkongony was the most
and Marula the least affected. It is recommended that the wetlands should be declared conservation areas and
protected from further drainage or uncontrolled explotation.