Tana River Delta campaign

The Tana River Delta is under serious threat from a range of development projects.

River deltas are known for being fragile, dynamic and extremely rich and important wetland systems, flooding in times of good rain and later drying out again. Therefore, any small amount of playing with the hydrological systems will upset the delicate natural balance and wreak havoc on the ecosystem, spelling the end of the delta.

Read more about the proposed projects and their potential impacts on the delta.

Watch the 'How Sweet is Tana's Sugar?' video

March 2010

Unfortunately, the government has decided to give tenure rights and ownership of 40,000ha of Delta land to TARDA (Tana River Development Authority), ostensibly to grow rice and maize as a response to Kenya’s recent drought and food shortage. Since then, it has issued eviction notices to the over 25,000 community members living within 'their' land. More

The Tana River Delta is amongst the top three of Kenya's largest and most important freshwater wetland systems with a significant local community of cattle herders and others dependent on it and who have done so for centuries.

It covers an area of 130,000ha (320,000 acres) and comprises of a diverse range of habitats that support in particular many thousands wetland birds both for breeding and for food. It is internationally important for the survival of no less than 22 species of birds “…making the delta one of the key sites in the country for waterbird conservation” (BirdLife International). It also holds a diversity of other wildlife including hippo, lion, elephant, buffalo, many breeding fish and amphibians.

Help save the delta

Write to express your concern.
Donate to the Tana River Delta campaign.

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