The Ministry of Environment has raised concern over increasing pollution around Lake Naivasha, primarily caused by farms and hotels.
The Ministry attributes the pollution to the unsustainable and uncontrolled use of agricultural land, agrochemicals and wastewater from the hotel industry.
This was revealed in Naivasha during the launch of a Sh230 million project aimed at restoring and rehabilitating the fragile ecosystem of the Lake Naivasha Basin.
The three-year project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through WWF-US and executed by the National Environment Trust Fund (Netfund), intends to restore the catchment and riparian areas surrounding the basin.
During the project's launch, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa emphasized the importance of the basin, highlighting that it hosts vital water towers such as the Aberdares Mountains and the Mau Forest.
Dr Barasa said that the ecosystem is facing significant challenges, including pollution, the degradation of wetlands, land and forest ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity.
The CS blamed the situation on unsustainable practices in agricultural land use, chemical runoff from farms, hotel effluents, and encroachment on riparian zones.
If this continues, we could lose the essential ecosystem services, and the government is deeply concerned about unsustainable practices, especially around this lake," she said.
She said that the rehabilitation programme would significantly help address current challenges by enhancing fish production and agricultural output.
"Implementing the project will yield key results, including improved governance of the basin, restored forest and wetland ecosystems, and sustainable land management practices," she explained.
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha noted that 80 per cent of the water flowing into Lake Naivasha originates from the Aberdares, underscoring the need to protect the water tower.
He mentioned that the water tower faces various challenges, including encroachment, deforestation, and degradation, and labeled the project as timely.
"Some of the rivers flowing into the lake have been blocked, and many dams in the basin require de-silting. This program will be invaluable," he added.
Netfund CEO Samson Toniok stated that the project aims to address challenges in both the upper and lower catchment areas.
"Some anticipated outcomes of the programme include the restoration and rehabilitation of 1,600 hectares of forest and assistance for 2,700 farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices," he said.
Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones described the Sh230 million project as a game changer for an ecosystem that has faced numerous challenges.
"Recently, we experienced rising water levels around Lake Naivasha, which negatively affected many families and impacted biodiversity," he noted.
