Temporal changes in physicochemical water quality parameters in the Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana, Kenya

This study assessed temporal changes in selected physicochemical water quality parameters between 2021 and 2026 in the Ferguson’s Gulf in Lake Turkana. Water quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were compared across six sampling stations previously established in another study done in 2021. Results of this study revealed considerable changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the Gulf. A slight decrease in the mean temperature from 30.5 in 2021 to 29.3 in 2026 was noted. Dissolved oxygen increased considerably from a mean of 4.45mg/L in 2021 to 7.73 mg/L in 2026, while conductivity declined from 3652 µS/cm in 2021 to 2511µS/cm in 2026. The observed changes underscore the ecological sensitivity of the Ferguson’s Gulf to hydrological and climatic shifts, therefore, emphasizing on the need for continuous water quality monitoring to support sustainable fisheries management and climate resilient conservation strategies in Lake Turkana.