Human activities threaten Lake Victoria ecosystem, PS warns

Human activities are putting intense pressure on the Lake Victoria Basin threatening the fragile ecosystem, East Africa Community PS Kevit Desai has said.

Desai said if not checked, the sustainable management of the ecosystem will not be achieved.

Some of the activities threatening the ecosystem are unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation and uncontrolled abstraction of water, pollution and encroachment by human settlements.

Experts have warned that unsustainable management of the basin will lead to the collapse of the ecosystem.

Rapid population growth, he added, is one of the challenges facing the basin.

“Data from across the region shows that Lake Vitoria Basin has the highest population density in all the EAC partner states compared to natural averages and experiences the fastest rate of population growth in rural areas,” Desai said.

Desai made the remarks at Kiptaragon Technical Vocational College in Nakuru county during the 11th Mara Day celebrations on Thursday.

Mara Day is held on a rotational basis between Kenya and Tanzania. This year’s theme was ‘Towards sustainable Mara River ecosystem.’

He was the chief guest during the celebrations.

The PS was accompanied by Lake Victoria Basin Commission executive secretary Masinde Bwire, Tanzania’s head of delegation Mara regional commissioner Suleiman Mzee among other guests from Kenya and Tanzania.

Mzee said since the declaration of Mara Day, there has been increased awareness of the dangers facing the basin leading to the escalation of conservation efforts.

Desai’s sentiments were echoed by Bwire, who said the ecosystem continues to face both nature-based and human-induced threats.

“To reverse some of the climate change-related threats, countries and communities will be required to act with a sense of urgency.," Bwire said.

"Failure to act now exposes us to risks of being invaded by wildebeests searching for greener pastures and fresher waters."

Bwire further noted that since the Kigali declaration in March 2022, states and non-state actors have been mobilised to sustainably conserve the Mara River ecosystem.

“The waters of Mara River have regained their natural quality and quantity compared to the situation in 2012," he said.

"The most critical one worthy of celebration is that counties, countries and communities have started budgeting and allocating other crucial resources for Mara Day celebrations."

He said that this year’s celebrations focused on the public-private sector partnership for the management of the River Mara basin.

“We have learned that private sector players gain more from the conserved Mara River ecosystem, their gains in terms of generated revenues are yet to correspond with paying back to sustain the ecosystem’s lifeline," Bwire said.

"Moving forward, LVBC is prioritising mobilisation of resources from private sector actors as a strategic long-term approach of sharing benefits."

Nakuru county environment chief officer Kiogora Mureithi delivered Governor Susan Kihika’s speech.

Kihika said it is important to put every effort and commit resources to ensure that the ecosystem is efficiently managed.

“Kenya and Nakuru county in particular hold a key responsibility in determining the future of the basin. Tanzania also plays a key role in protecting the environment,” she said.

She reiterated Nakuru’s commitment to conserving Mau Forest and the Mara River Basin within its territory.

Tanzania’s deputy Water PS Nadhifa Kemikimba who represented Water Minister Jumaa Aweso called for a joint water allocation,  conservation and catchment plan to succeed.

The celebrations included clean-up exercises in Keringet town, planting 3,500 seedlings and holding amateur sporting activities like athletics and football.

Essay writing competitions winners and conservation champions received awards from the organisers.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)