{{Short description|River in western Kenya}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox river | name = Nyando River | image = Nyando mouth.JPG | image_caption = The mouth of the Nyando River as it flows into Lake Victoria. | source1_location = Mau Escarpment and Nandi Hills | mouth_location = Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria | coordinates = {{coord|0|16|44|S|34|50|56|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Kenya | length = ~153 km | basin_size = ~3,600 km2 | mouth_elevation = 1,134 m | tributaries_left = Asawo River | tributaries_right = Awach River | pushpin_map = Kenya | pushpin_map_caption = Location of the Nyando River mouth in Kenya }}'''Nyando River''' is in western Kenya, flowing through the counties of Kericho, Nandi, and Kisumu before draining into Lake Victoria. The river and its basin play a significant role in the hydrology, economy, and ecology of the Lake Victoria Basin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Satellite imagery uncovers the scale of Kenya's floods |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/health/satellite-imagery-uncovers-the-scale-of-kenya-s-floods-4385492 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2003 |title=Biophysical Baseline Information For The Nyando Catchment Area |url=http://localhost:8080/dspace/handle/0/8279 |language=en}}</ref> The river is approximately 153 kilometers.
== Geography and course == Nyando River originates from the highlands of Tinderet Forest in the Nandi Hills and the regiuons of the Mau Escarpment areas in the Rift Valley. It flows westward through Kericho County and Muhoroni towards Kisumu County's Nyando Plains, navigating near Ahero in Kano Plains before emptying into Winam Gulf a northeastern extension of Lake Victoria. The major tributaries are the Asawo River, Awachi River, Paragusi River, Kipchorian and Ombei rivers.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1" />
== Basin and hydrology == The Nyando River Basin is estimated to be 3,600 square kilometers in area, with elevations ranging from around 2,700 meters in the upper basin to 1,100 meters near the lake. The basin has a bimodal rainfall pattern, which contributes to recurrent flooding in the lower plains during both long rains (March–May) and short rains (October–December).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=New flood forecasting system brings hope to Nyando residents |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/health/new-flood-forecasting-system-brings-hope-to-nyando-residents-4742690 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
== Flooding and environmental issues == Flooding along the Nyando River is a recurring issue, particularly in the flats of Kano Plains, Ahero, Kadibo, and Nyando regions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=Ahero Floods: Nyando River In Kisumu Bursts Its Banks |url=https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/families-sleep-on-highway-as-two-villages-are-submerged/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-25 |title=Nyando - NWHSA |url=https://www.waterauthority.go.ke/nyando/ |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=www.waterauthority.go.ke |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1961 there were devastating flood events that followed the 1997 - 1998 El Niño and in 2020 the Lake Victoria backflow flooded villages in Ahero and West Kano.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ram |first=Ed |date=2020-06-02 |title='The water will come back': why Kenya's struggle against flooding is far from over |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/02/the-water-will-come-back-why-kenyas-struggle-against-flooding-is-far-from-over |access-date=2026-05-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Heavy rainfall and upstream deforestation cause siltation, reduced drainage capacity, and community displacement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[PHOTOS] Destruction, vehicles submerged in Ahero as River Nyando breaks banks |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2024-05-05-photos-destruction-vehicles-submerged-in-ahero-as-river-nyando-breaks-banks |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> To alleviate these impacts, government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are implementing a variety of flood control and watershed management projects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=Kisumu-Nairobi highway rendered impassable after river Nyando bursts its banks |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/kisumu-nairobi-highway-rendered-impassable-after-river-nyando-bursts-its-banks-n341569 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=Transport paralysed on Kisumu-Nairobi highway as River Nyando bursts banks |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/kisumu/transport-paralysed-on-kisumu-nairobi-highway-as-river-nyando-bursts-banks--4613634 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>
== Ecology == Wetlands, papyrus swamps, and floodplain grasslands are among the habitats that thrive in the lower Nyando basin. These ecosystems are critical for fish reproduction, bird populations, and water filtration in Lake Victoria. However, agricultural development, sedimentation, and pollution from urban and farm runoff endanger environmental health.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-29 |title=Kisumu residents sue Agro Chemicals over pollution |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/kisumu/kisumu-residents-sue-agro-chemicals-over-pollution-243066 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/report/Pollution_by_sugar_industries_in_Kenya_the_damage_to_communities_along_River_Nyando/26446978/1 |title=Pollution by sugar industries in Kenya: the damage to communities along River Nyando |last=Onjala |first=Joseph |date=1996-12-31 |publisher=The Institute of Development Studies and Partner Organisations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-28 |title=Pollution: Nema withdraws Agro-Chemicals licence |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/pollution-nema-withdraws-agro-chemicals-licence-230828 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=2019 |title=Assessment of water quality of the Nyando River (Muhoroni-Kenya) using the water quality index (WQI) method |url=https://www.isca.me/IJENS/Archive/v8/i2/4.ISCA-IRJEvS-2018-103.php |journal=International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=27–33}}</ref>
== Economy and land use == thumb|Local residents utilizing the Nyando River near the Ahero crossing. Due to the clay vertisols, which are difficult to drain and highly suitable for rice cultivation, the river serves irrigation facilities, including the Ahero Irrigation Scheme, which is operated by the National Irrigation Authority and produces rice, maize, and vegetables.<ref name=":1" /> Communities in the basin rely on the river for fishing, domestic water, and small-scale agricultural. In recent years, there has been a push to encourage sustainable land management and reforestation in higher catchments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Analysis of Land Use Land Cover Changes of Okana Wetland Ecosystems in Lower Nyando River Basin, Kisumu County, Kenya – Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education |url=https://www.jriiejournal.com/analysis-of-land-use-land-cover-changes-of-okana-wetland-ecosystems-in-lower-nyando-river-basin-kisumu-county-kenya/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |language=en-US}}</ref> The riverbeds are extensively mined for sand used in the construction industry within the region.
== See also == * Lake Victoria * Rivers of Kenya * Ahero Irrigation Scheme
== References == <references />
{{coord missing|Kenya}}{{Rivers of Kenya}} Category:Rivers of Kenya Category:Tributaries of Lake Victoria Category:Wetlands of Kenya Category:Floodplains of Africa Category:Environmental issues in Kenya