The National government has kicked off a clean-up exercise on Lake Victoria due to curb escalating pollution of the shared water mass.
The Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC), James Kianda Lake Victoria and Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o said the clean-up exercise will help restore the fading reputation of the second largest fresh water lake for the benefit of the current and future generations.
Speaking during launch of the exercise on Tuesday, Kianda said the Lake has to be cleaned up to ensure local residents continue accessing clean water for drinking and other purposes.
He disclosed that clean-up exercise will extend to all the 14 Counties surrounding the entire Lake Region Economic Block (LREB).
The RC cautioned those who persistently dump solid waste and other raw effluent into the Lake to refrain from the illegal practice or face prosecution, as this ended up affecting marine life.
Prof. Nyong’o said after the national government initiated the cleaning of Lake Victoria, it was now the duty of the residents surrounding the locality to make sure no further waste gets dumped into the water mass, if indeed they were keen to have it regain its lost glory.
Other partners who were involved in the clean-up exercise included Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Youth Service (NYS), Red Cross, Plan International and local residents.
Recently, Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) secured Sh.30 billion in form of a grant from the European Union to clean up the lake and improve the water quality.
The project has been dubbed the Lake Victoria Integrated Water Resources Management Project (LV – IWRMP) aimed at enhancing water availability and quality in the region.
This followed escalating cases of pollution and discharge of raw effluent and industrial waste into the shared water mass.
By Pauline Omondi/Joseph Ouma
