Siaya county government will adopt three wetlands as part of the efforts to protect them from degradation.
According to the County Executive Committee member for water and environment, Professor Jacqueline Oduol, Kanyaboli, Yala and Yimbo wetlands will benefit from special conservation efforts by the devolved government to enable them continue playing the crucial role of regulating the environment.
She was speaking at Kombo beach along the shores of Lake Kanyaboli during the World Wetlands Day celebrations where she represented the local governor, James Orengo.
Prof Oduol called on Siaya residents to take environment conservation matters seriously so as to fight the negative effects of climate change.
She said the county government was committed to restoration efforts of lake Kanyaboli, Africa’s largest Ox-Bow Lake that last year lost most of its fish following a burst on one of its dykes.
Addressing the occasion, hosted by the Kanyaboli Site Support Group, the county executive committee member for agriculture, Sylvestre K’okoth warned people living around the wetlands against burning papyrus reeds.
“Papyrus helps to absorb carbon that is hazardous to human health,” he said adding, “if we burn it, then it means that the future generations will suffer extremely because of the effects of too much carbon in the atmosphere.”
Some of the consequences of too much hazardous carbon in the atmosphere, said K’okoth, are increased cases of cancer and other related diseases that affect humanity.
K’okoth called for concerted efforts to protect the Yala swamp ecosystem and other wetlands which he described as crucial sources of agricultural production.
Kenya Wildlife service warden, Eunice Mutunga who lamented over wanton destruction of both the Lake Kanyaboli and Yala swamp ecosystem challenged the locals to embrace conservation.
She further called on those interested in domesticating wildlife to visit their offices for permits and more information.
The occasion was also attended by Kenya forest service and the national environment management authority officials.
By Philip Onyango
