1599 ISSN 2286-4822 www.euacademic.org EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH Vol. VI, Issue 4/ July 2018 Impact Factor: 3.4546 (UIF) DRJI Value: 5.9 (B+) Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus Linn and its Impacts on Biodiversity in Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya DORCA AUMA MURONO 1 Department of Plant Sciences Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya EMILY WABUYELE Department of Plant Sciences Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya PAUL K. MUORIA Department of Plant Sciences Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya JOHN OTIENO ABUTO Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus Linn has been classified as one of the world’s most serious invasive plants. The weed threatens natural and agro-ecosystems in over 30 countries worldwide. Parthenium hysterophorus is a hazardous weed which causes harm to biodiversity, natural plant ecosystems, humans and livestock. In Kenya, the weed was first reported in the early 1970s and has since spread to several parts of the country. Currently, there is no study on the detailed distribution of P. hysterophorus and its impacts on biodiversity in Kenya. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of invasion and impacts of P. hysterophorus on plant species diversity in Nyando Sub-County of Kisumu County. GPS data on the presence of P. hysterophorus was loaded into ArcGPS 9.1 software to develop point 1 Corresponding author: johnabuto@yahoo.com / johnabuto1979@gmail.com