Important Functions of Wetlands in Local Communities in Kenya: A Case Study of Sio-River Wetland in Nambale Sub-County, Busia County

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide a myriad of economic, social and ecological benefits. They have invaluable goods ranging from provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting while key services are climate change mitigation, shoreline mitigation, flood control, groundwater recharge, water purification, carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection. However, these wetland services remain unmeasured and undervalued. Consequently, the benefits they provide are sometimes ignored in most wetland management decisions. The study aimed to examine the important functions of the wetlands with a focus on Sio-River Wetland in Nambale Sub- County. The study employed a cross-sectional research design that involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 400 inhabitants participated in the study using simple random sampling and purposive sampling approaches. In this study, data was collected from the field using pictorials, photographs, observation, questionnaires and interview schedules. Majority of the respondents affirmed that there are goods and services that the local community gets from the Sio- River Wetland as shown by 81% of the respondents against 19.0% of the respondents. To enhance sustainability of the wetlands, education and awareness-raising campaigns on the importance of wetlands are needed amongst the local community. This can be achieved by government, NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders conducting public baraza, seminar, workshop and publicity via local radio stations