Abstract:
The paper examines the hydrological and land use processes
that are affecting the quality of water in the Gucha catchment situated
within the lake basin region in southwestern Kenya. The significance
of hydrological processes on the quality of water resources in the
catchment is examined. Major land use categories such as cultivation,
settlement, and transport infrastructure are examined paying special
attention to their role on water resources quality degradation within the
catchment. The implications of these processes and activities on water
resources management and development are critically evaluated and
suggestions made on various strategies that could be applied to
counteract or minimize the adverse effects of these processes.
Information generated in this study is vital in water resources
development planning and management within the catchment and could
be of great significance in other catchments in the Lake Victoria
drainage area that experiences similar climatic, hydrological, land use
and catchment characteristics as the Gucha catchment.
