Rivers play a major role as sources of water for both domestic and industrial use in many parts around the world. In developing countries, where infrastructure for water supply has not been fully developed, rivers provide a direct source of water for domestic use with minimal or no treatment at all. For water scarce countries, including Kenya (WRI, 2007), this means that water catchment areas should be managed properly so as to retain their capacity
to supply good quality water all year round. Thus, understanding the possible consequences of land use and land cover changes on water resources is a requisite for better water resources management. However, this is not to be as many river catchments are undergoing rapid change mediated by human encroachment.