Homa Bay County Government has embarked on regeneration of Lake Victoria waterfront through rehabilitating piers along the lake.
This follows an outcry by traders over poor condition of markets on the lake shores due to poor waste management.
The County Director of Trade, in charge of Markets, Sam Collins Owiyo, said that they have collaborated with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to establish a suitable dumping site for waste collection.
“We have managed to provide skips which the traders and the cleaners are using to dump the wastes to avoid scattering them all-over the market, “said Owiyo.
Owiyo expressed concern that a number of people around the lake are still using raw water from the lake which is contaminated by pit latrines built along the shores for domestic purposes.
The department is working on modern ways to build better toilets because it has not been easy to put up such structures due to the high levels of water near the water body.
“We intend to do a complete ablution block near Homa-Bay pier which will include toilet facilities both for men and females,” said Owiyo.
He said that they will drill a borehole for the market to use as clean water is needed by the fish traders.
The Director stated that they have also engaged cleaners who will always ensure that the market and the pier are kept clean, something that has also created job opportunities.
During her visit to the Homa Bay Town pier, Governor Gladys Wanga said that her administration is working closely with the Kenya Ports Authority in upgrading the condition of the waterfront.
“My administration is working with the Kenya Ports Authority to fast-track the upgrading and regeneration of the lakefront initiative,” said Wanga.
She also lauded the traders on the enthusiasm and insights in supporting the government’s initiatives.
By Brian Odhiambo and Davis Langat
