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Friends of Ondiri Wetland

Our Story

Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya

Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) is a community-driven environmental organization founded in 2016 with a mission to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage Ondiri Wetland — Kenya’s only quaking bog and a vital ecosystem that supports Nairobi’s water catchment.

For nearly a decade, we have worked hand-in-hand with local residents, schools, conservation partners, and government agencies to make Ondiri Wetland a national model of community-led conservation. Through awareness campaigns, cleanup drives, tree planting, ecological restoration, and environmental education, we have transformed Ondiri from a degraded and threatened area into one of the best conserved wetlands in Kenya.

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Our Vision

A clean, thriving, and sustainably managed Ondiri Wetland that supports life, climate stability, and community prosperity.

Our Mission

To conserve Ondiri Wetland through community-driven environmental action, education, and sustainable development partnerships.

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Ondiri Wetland
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Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya.

Protecting Nature. Empowering Communities. Sustaining the Future.

Welcome to Ondiri – Kenya’s Living Gem. Nestled in the heart of Kikuyu, Ondiri Wetland is the second-largest wetland in Kenya and the only natural lake in Nairobi County — a vital source of clean water, biodiversity, and climate resilience. At Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya, we are a community-driven conservation movement working passionately to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of this unique natural heritage.

What We Do

Wetland Conservation

We lead restoration, tree planting, and pollution control to keep Ondiri vibrant and thriving.

Community Empowerment

We train, educate, and engage youth and locals to become guardians of the environment.

Climate Action

We promote sustainable livelihoods and innovations for a greener, resilient future.

Partnerships & Advocacy

We collaborate with institutions to push for wetland protection and sustainable urban planning.

Our Impact

  • Restored degraded sections of Ondiri Wetland
  • Mobilized thousands of volunteers and students
  • Partnered with NEMA, Kiambu County & global organizations
  • Set a national model for community-led conservation
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Our Causes

Protecting Ondiri Wetland
Protecting Ondiri Wetland

Safeguarding Kenya’s only quaking bog — a vital freshwater source and home to diverse wildlife.

1.
Combating Pollution & Waste
Combating Pollution & Waste

Fighting illegal dumping and promoting proper waste disposal to keep our wetland clean and thriving.

2.
Community Empowerment
Empowering Local Communities

Supporting youth and women to lead conservation activities and sustainable livelihood projects.

3.
Environmental Education
Environmental Education

Raising awareness in schools and communities about wetland conservation and climate resilience.

4.
Restoring Degraded Ecosystems
Restoring Degraded Ecosystems

Rehabilitating damaged wetland zones through replanting native vegetation and improving water flow.

5.
Climate Change Mitigation
Climate Change Mitigation

Promoting tree planting, sustainable farming, and renewable energy initiatives for a greener tomorrow.

6.

Young Environmentalists Club

Building an Eco-Conscious Generation

Josphat Muthoni
By Josphat Muthoni | Chairperson, Friends of Ondiri Young Environmentalists Club

In an effort to spread awareness in the community around Ondiri Wetland, Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya is running a programme called the Young Environmentalists Club. The programme focuses on teaching schools in the area about conservation.

Young Environmentalists Club Activities Youth engaged in environmental conservation activities

We help schools establish environmental clubs and set up tree nurseries. We teach learners which trees are suitable to plant, focusing on indigenous species that support the local ecosystem. Students also learn how to care for seedlings, from nursery management to planting and aftercare, to ensure the trees grow.

Beyond tree planting, we teach organic farming practices that are good for the environment, agroforestry, and proper waste disposal. This programme aims to build a community that is conscious of its environment and takes personal responsibility for keeping it clean.

We hope for a future with no more littering on the streets, where proper garbage disposal is a priority for everyone. Environmental conservation starts with a personal decision not to drop a sweet wrapper irresponsibly. Friends of Ondiri Wetland started this programme to make that vision a reality.

We have developing a curriculum suitable for learners from comprehensive schools to tertiary institutions. Currently, we are working with 30 schools within a 5km radius of Kikuyu, and we look forward to engaging more schools.


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Together for Nature
Together for Ondiri.

Join hands with us in protecting the environment and empowering communities.

Our Achievements

Since our establishment in 2016, Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya has made tremendous progress in safeguarding and restoring the Ondiri ecosystem while empowering the local community.

Major Milestones

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Years of Conservation

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Trees Planted

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Conservation Runs

Our Partners

Appreciating our partners for standing with us to protect Ondiri Wetland and nurture its unique ecosystem.

County Government of Kiambu.

County Government of Kiambu.

National Environment Management Authority. NEMA

National Environment Management Authority.

Kenya Forestry Research Institute. KEFRI

Kenya Forestry Research Institute.

Water Resources Authority. WRA

Water Resources Authority.

Nairobi Rivers Commission. NRC

Nairobi Rivers Commission.

The Presbyterian University of East Africa. PUEA

The Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Kikuyu Water Company Ltd.

Kikuyu Water Company Ltd.

Thogoto residents association environment committee.

Thogoto residents association environment committee.

News, Top Articles & Upcoming Events

FOWK

EU Delegation Engages with Ondiri Wetland Conservation Efforts

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FOWK

Athi River Reed Frog: A Tiny Indicator of Wetland Health

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FOWK

First Ever Conservation Cycling Event at Ondiri Wetland Kenya Marks Easter Monday 2026

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FOWK

Ireland’s Minister for Nature and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan Visits Ondiri Wetland

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FOWK

Irish Ambassador HE Caitríona Ingoldsby Visits Ondiri Wetland

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FOWK Tree Planting

Friends of Ondiri and World Agroforestry Advance Farmer Capacity in Kikuyu

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FOWK Tree Planting

Empowering Women in Conservation: The Transformative Impact of FOWK

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FOWK

Strategic Conservation Partnership with ACOPPHE Kenya

In our ongoing quest to build stronger and more impactful partnerships, we held a productive meeting with...

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FOWK

The Invasive Vine Threatening Kiambu’s Farms and Forests.

There has been a growing concern in Kiambu County regarding a strange weed resembling spaghetti, and that is spreading at an alarming rate.

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FOWK

The Ondiri Miracle: A Community’s Fight to Save Kenya’s Only Peatbog, Part 1.

As Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) marks 10 years of conservation and restoration, we begin to tell the story of our journey...

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The 5th Ondiri Wetland Conservation Run.

Ondiri Voices

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