In Kenya, although there are numerous laws concerned with water pollution in place, the issue continues to be a big problem, especially in the city. Most of the city rivers are flooded with garbage, mostly plastics. The garbage sludge sits atop the rivers, giving the illusion that the river is nonexistent. This has caused several accidental drownings because people are not able to tell where the rivers are and once they step onto the sludge in places where it is not thick enough, it cracks and they fall in, not being able to come back up. The pollution in these rivers is as a result of people throwing garbage into the rivers and around the river banks. In addition to that, there are also several open sewer lines that direct their effluent into rivers. These sewer lines carry industrial as well as domestic waste. As a result, the contaminants found in the city rivers include plastics, faecal matter, detergents, disinfectants, chemical waste, insecticides and petroleum hydrocarbons, among others. Some of these contaminants also seep through the ground and contaminate the aquifers. 

Some of the effects of water contamination include contaminant poisoning, morbidity and mortality. These effects have been documented in human beings, plants and animals as well. For example, because of the spillage of crude oil at sea, many aquatic animals and plants lack oxygen to breathe in the water - because crude oil prevents oxygen from dissolving into the water -  and therefore end up dying. Plants that are watered by contaminated water end up becoming sick and/or mutating and the people/animals that consume these plants end up getting sick too. People can contract diseases such as hepatitis by eating animals poisoned by water contaminants. There are also diseases such as typhoid and cholera that spread as a result of contaminated water and food. 

There are several ways to prevent/control water pollution. These include sewage, industrial waste water and agricultural waste water treatment. It also helps to create awareness about the problems posed by water pollution and to create environmental laws that specifically deal with water pollution. 

As I previously stated, there are already laws concerned with water pollution in place here in Kenya. In fact, the fines for pollution are quite hefty, for both individuals and companies. Despite this, the pollution of water sources continues. Most people blame this on the ineffecient waste management system in Kenya. However, in recent months, we have seen several NGOs mobilise people to start cleaning up their surrounding, which includes water sources. These NGOs aim to teach people environmental responsibility and they include initiatives such as Clean Up Kenya.