The KNDF National Chairperson Rev. Joe Asila says that Kisumu County economy would be under threat as invasive weed spreads in Lake Victoria rendering hundreds out of work.

Lwang’ni Beach on the shores of Kisumu used to welcome hundreds of visitors and residents who flocked the beach to buy fresh fish.

Today the story is different following the re-emergence of water hyacinth in the lake.  Hundreds of fishermen have been forced to move to  other areas, a development that is likely to hurt the country’s economy. 

The weed has also covered the entire Winam gulf, which also serves as fish breeding area. 

Alfred Ajul, Kisumu County Agriculture and Fisheries Officer informs that of the 34 fish landing sites, Kichinjio beach in Kisumu Central sub-county is the most hit. 

Kennedy Ochieng, 57, a boat owner said his eight employees are reluctant to venture into the lake for fear of being trapped by the weed. He says the plant has become a perfect hibernation place for mosquitoes, snakes, hippos and crocodiles.

A team led by the Kenya National Discourse Forum (KNDF) National Chairperson toured the beach and found the few remaining fishermen harvesting sand for sale. 

One of the fishermen at the beach Mr Raymond Omondi said although the county has banned the activity, the fishermen must look for alternative source of income.

“We sell the sand for Kshs 3,500 per seven tones of lorry but we have to play hide-and-seek with government agencies enforcing the ban,” said Collins Oluoch, a fisherman.

The ripple effects of the weed are being felt far and wide.  Omondi said most businessmen on the shores of the lake have closed shop for lack of customers.

Jackline Anditi, a hotel owner at Lwang’ni beach, says she is worried about the spread of the weed because it will drive them out of the business.’ She said she plans to reduce the number of staff because clients have reduced.

There appears to be no immediate solution to the menace that has bedeviled the region for close to 20 years.

Mitigation measures rolled out so far include mechanical, biological and manual removal of the weed which is not very effective several agencies are still grappling to find a lasting solution to the problem.

Kisumu County Environment Executive, Solomon Orimba said the county did not set aside any funds to deal with the menace in this year’s budget but called for a collaborative approach.  

He said the county incurs huge costs in treating the lake water.  Lake Victoria Basin Commissions Executive Secretary Ally Matano said the problem will only be addressed if pollution and human activity are controlled.  He said more efforts should be channeled to saving the Mau ecosystem. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenya Nile Discourse Forum (KNDF) National Chairperson, Rev Joe Asila has encouraged residents of Kakamega County to use bed nets for their intended purposes.

 

He said this during the free medical camp organized by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala at Bukhungu stadium held on September 22, 2018. Rev Asila took issue that several locals used the nets for fencing their farms.

 

In Kakamega County, the bed net has helped bring down malaria prevalence from 38 per cent in 2013 to 27 per cent in 2018. However, the KNDF chairperson expressed concern that these gains could be rolled back as residents find other uses for the nets: bridal veils, funeral shrouds, window mesh, soccer balls, ropes, chicken cages and kitchen garden fences are now all made from mosquito nets. Cases of Malaria in Kakamega County are on the rise because locals are not using the treated nets as a weapon against mosquitoes.

 

Cleophas Malala told participants that he has raised this issue with the county assembly and that it is under legislation. “If you use the nets for fencing farm produce, that might be punishable in the near future,” he said.

 

Mr. Malala, said the insecticides used on nets to keep away mosquitoes were harmful to the ecosystem and should not be used on farm produce that are meant for consumption or in water as this endangers the life of aquatic animals.

 

County First Lady, Pricilla Oparanya who also officiated the program, expressed her concern for pregnant mothers, the elderly and children who get infected with malaria.

 

Mrs. Oparanya explained that Malaria was a prime contributor to death reported in the county.

 

The County in collaboration with National Malaria Control Program therefore came up with strategies to control the levels of infection

 

She said that the County has put strategies that will see people use appropriate prevention methods which includes sleeping under treated nets and strengthen advocacy for malaria so that 80 per cent of the county population have knowledge on the same.

 

“As a result, the County has made much progress over the years as 75 per cent of its populace now sleep under nets. We expect every household by the end of 2018 will have the treated nets,” she added.

 

The stakeholders in collaboration with Malaria Control Unit plans to issue 100,000 nets to the locals in the county that has a population of approximately 1.3 million.