Community-based initiative launched to tackle pollution on Lake Kwania

22 July 2025, 1:25 pm

By Olomo Joshua

The Ministry of Water and Environment has appointed local leadership teams to oversee the wellbeing of landing sites along Lake Kwania, focusing on promoting hygiene and sanitation, improving public health among fishing communities, and combating the use of illegal fishing gear.

This initiative was launched on 21 July 2025 at Abali Landing Site in Atongtidi Sub-county, Kwania District, during the official unveiling of a Community-Based Manual Plan.
The event also served as a platform to collect data on the challenges facing fishermen and lakeside communities.

According to Dickson Wafula, an Environment Officer from the Ministry, the initiative will deploy teams of four people per sub-county, supported by eight district-level representatives, to lead efforts against pollution and promote sustainable management of lake resources.

Emmanuel Okaleng, Kwania District’s Natural Resources Officer, emphasised that Lake Kwania is currently facing environmental degradation, primarily due to inadequate waste management and poor sanitation practices at the landing sites.

He noted that the initiative will tackle these issues through community engagement and the enforcement of environmental regulations.

The campaign, which began in Atongtidi Sub county, is scheduled to roll out to Nambieso Sub county on Tuesday, and later to Chawente and Ayabi Sub counties on Wednesday.

Local fishermen Joshua Egwar and George Oper welcomed the intervention, expressing optimism that it will significantly reduce pollution levels in Lake Kwania and promote cleaner, safer fishing environments.

Jimmy Obura, the Sub county Chief of Atongtidi, urged residents and fishermen to take sanitation seriously by constructing and using latrines and practising proper waste disposal to prevent further contamination of the lake.