List of rivers of Kenya facts for kids

Map of Kenya showing some of its main rivers.

Kenya is a country in East Africa, and it has many important rivers! These rivers are like the lifelines of the land, providing water for people, animals, and plants. They also help shape the landscape and support different ecosystems.

This article gives you a simple list of the main rivers in Kenya. We'll group them by where their water eventually ends up, which is called a "drainage basin." Think of it like different paths water takes to reach a big lake or ocean. Smaller rivers that flow into bigger ones are called "tributaries," and they are listed underneath the main river.

Rivers Flowing to the Mediterranean Sea

Gnus crossing the Mara River.

Some rivers in Kenya are part of the huge Nile River system. Their water travels a very long way, all the way to the Mediterranean Sea!

• Nile River
  • White Nile
    • Victoria Nile (Uganda)
      • Lake Victoria

*Nzoia River *Yala River *Nyando River *Sondu River (also called Miriu River) *Awach River **Itare River *Kitare River (also called South Awach River) *Gucha River (also called Kuja River) **Migori River **Riana River **Mogonga River *Mara River

Rivers Flowing to Lake Turkana

Lake Turkana is a very large desert lake in northern Kenya. It's sometimes called the "Jade Sea" because of its amazing green color. Several rivers flow into this lake.

• Suguta River
• Kerio River
• Lokichar River (also known as Lomenyangaparat)
• Turkwel River
  • Suam River
  • Omo River (mostly in Ethiopia, but contributes to the basin)
  • Turkwel River (listed again as the main river)

Rivers Flowing to Lake Baringo

Lake Baringo is one of the two freshwater lakes in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Rivers that feed into it are vital for the local communities and wildlife.

• Olarabel River (also known as Ngusero River)
• Molo River
  • Perkerra River
• Njoro River

Rivers Flowing to Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is another beautiful freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. It's known for its birdlife and hippos.

• Gilgil River
• Malewa River
  • Turasha River (also known as Kija river)

Rivers Flowing to Lake Natron

Lake Natron is a very salty, alkaline lake that sits on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. It's famous for its unique pink color and as a breeding ground for flamingos.

• Southern Ewaso Ng'iro
  • Seyabei River

Rivers Flowing to the Indian Ocean

Flooding on the Tana River in 1998.

Many of Kenya's largest and most important rivers flow eastward, eventually emptying into the vast Indian Ocean.

• Jubba River (mostly in Somalia)
  • Lagh Dera
    • Lak Bor
      • Lagh Kutulo
    • Lagh Bogal
    • Ewaso Ng'iro
      • Isiolo River
      • Naro Moru river
    • Milgis
  • Dawa River
• Tana River
  • Sagana River
  • Kathita River
  • Mutonga River
  • Thiba River
  • Thika River
    • Kiama River
  • Ragati River
  • Kururu River
  • Muhuhi River
• Galana River
  • Athi River
    • Mbagathi River
    • Ruiru River
    • Nairobi River
  • Tsavo River
• Tudor Creek
• Voi River (also known as Goshi River)
• Umba River
• Pangani River (mostly in Tanzania)
  • Jipe Ruvu River
    • Lumi River

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos de Kenia para niños