5 Reasons Why the Mauritius Thorn is Now Destroying Kenya’s Vital Waterways

Environmental experts have issued an urgent warning over the rapid spread of the invasive Mauritius thorn, a “parasitic” plant now choking crucial rivers and wetlands across Kenya. The aggressive species is compounding existing climate pressures, threatening the livelihoods of local communities and the survival of indigenous ecosystems.

The Threat to Water Security

During a recent citizen science initiative at the Kitale National Museum, researchers and community members documented the devastating impact of the non-native plant.

Using specialized microscopes to study the Museum River, data scientists identified the thorn as a primary driver of regional water degradation.

“There is serious concern over the degradation of rivers and wetlands in the country,” Jane Kimani, a data scientist at EduTab Africa, told the Daily Nation.

She warned that the plant forms dense stands along watercourses which “reduces stream flow and is a direct threat to the life of the river.”

Ecological ‘Parasites’

The Mauritius thorn operates with aggressive efficiency, monopolizing the nutrients, sunlight, and water required by native vegetation.

Environmental expert Adrianous Mukhwana described these invasive species as “very dangerous,” noting they function essentially as parasites within the delicate ecosystem.

The impact on the landscape includes:

• Restricted Water Flow: Thick barriers of vegetation alter aquatic habitats and reduce the volume of available water.
• Catchment Loss: Combined with pollution and human activity, the infestation is leading to the disappearance of vital water catchment zones.
• Increased Flooding: In Trans Nzoia County, hundreds of families have already suffered from catastrophic floods as compromised, choked waterways fail to manage heavy precipitation.

A Call for Science-Based Solutions

The crisis has prompted calls for a shift toward conservation-led economic alternatives.

Environmental advocate Maurice Wanjala has urged regional authorities to move away from vulnerable river-based activities in favour of bamboo cultivation and apiculture (beekeeping).

“We urgently need science-based initiatives that can help local communities conserve rivers and forests,” Wanjala told the Daily Nation.

Experts stress that the window for intervention is narrow. Success depends on the early identification of the Mauritius thorn, followed by organized removal efforts and the replanting of native species to restore natural water flow.

For the communities depending on these rivers for drinking, irrigation, and trade, the restoration of these waterways is now a matter of economic survival.

Source: TCD