Consequences of a depleted Mau complex

Water Catchment

The Mau Complex forms the upper catchments of most rivers west of the Rift Valley that are in the danger of drying up. They include Nzoia, Yala, Nyando, Sondu and Mara that all flow into Lake Victoria.

Others are Kerio flowing into Lake Turkana, Molo flowing into Lake Baringo and Ewaso Nyiro River flowing into Lake Natron. The rest are Njoro River, Nderit River, Makalia River and Naishi River all feeding the Lake Nakuru.

Energy Production

The Mau Complex feed five rivers that have a potential to produce hydroelectric power with a market value of Sh5.3 billion annually from electricity generated from developed and planned hydropower plants.

The Mau Complex gives life to at least eight tourism sites including South Turkana, Kerio Valley, Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru, Lake Natron Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Kakamega Forest.

The Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara racked in Sh1.16 billion in fee parks in 2007 while direct and indirect revenues for the year are approximated as Sh5 billion. The largest tea growing areas in Kenya are near the Mau Complex.