Kisumu: The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) has secured Sh1.6 billion funding from the German Development Bank (KfW) and the European Union (EU) to improve sanitation in Kisumu City’s Manyatta informal settlement. Through the initiative, which is under the agency’s Integrated Water Resources Management Programme (IWRMP), 550 modern toilet blocks are set to be constructed in Manyatta A to enhance access to proper sanitation. Additionally, the sewerage system in the area will be extended by 15 kilometers to prevent the discharge of raw effluents into Lake Victoria.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Programme Coordinator Arsene Aime Mukubwa stated that LVBC, an East Africa Community (EAC) agency responsible for coordinating sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria Basin, has already received Sh800 million to commence the project. The remaining Sh800 million, which has been negotiated, is expected to be released next year. Mukubwa emphasized that this effort is part of the larger Lake
Victoria Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Programme, aiming to enhance water quality in Lake Victoria, a vital resource for millions in East Africa.
Speaking at World Toilet Day Celebrations at Kotetni Primary School in Kisumu West Sub-County, Mukubwa highlighted that the investment would not only solve sanitation issues in Manyatta and Kisumu but also significantly improve the overall water quality in Lake Victoria. He pointed out that the open defecation rate in Kisumu stands at 4.8%, and this programme aims to tackle this issue, which contributes to the lake’s pollution.
LVBC plans to continue seeking partnerships with other organizations to expand the initiative, improving sanitation and access to clean toilets across Kenya and the broader East Africa region to achieve the project’s objectives. Mukubwa noted the ongoing rapid pollution of Lake Victoria, especially from urban centers like Kisumu, Kampala, Mwanza, and Kigali, as the reason for launching this programme.
During the same event, K
isumu County Director of Public Health Fredrick Oluoch praised the partnership, stating it aligns with the county government’s goal to increase access to good toilets and sanitation to 70% by 2027. ‘Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o’s manifesto aims to boost proper sanitation across the county to 70% by 2027. By the end of 2022, we reached 33.1%, and with initiatives like this, we will achieve the target,’ he said. Oluoch acknowledged that open defecation remains a challenge in some parts of the county and mentioned ongoing collaborations with partners to enhance toilet facilities in the region.