Informal settlements in Kisumu are benefiting from a groundbreaking sanitation initiative worth Sh1.6 billion, aimed at curbing raw effluent discharge into Lake Victoria. The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) is spearheading the program, supported by an initial Sh800 million from the German Development Bank (KfW) and the European Union.
Eng. Arsene Mukubwa, coordinator of LVBC’s Integrated Water Resources Management Program, shared that the first phase involves constructing 550 toilet blocks in Manyatta slums and installing 15 kilometers of sewer lines. “Toilets play a critical role in reducing untreated effluent from polluting the lake,” Mukubwa stated during World Toilet Day celebrations in Kisumu County.
To expand the program, the LVBC has secured an additional Sh800 million for 2025, aiming to connect more households to toilets and sewer systems, particularly in informal settlements such as Nyalenda, Obunga, and Bandani. Mukubwa highlighted the urgent need to address low sewer connectivity, which poses significant risks to Lake Victoria’s water quality.
The three-year project also aligns with regional efforts across East African cities bordering the lake, reinforcing the theme of this year’s World Toilet Day, “Sanitation for Peace.” Mukubwa emphasized that improved sanitation fosters peaceful coexistence, as clean water resources reduce conflicts and promote harmony.
In collaboration with Kisumu County Government, the initiative is expected to transform sanitation standards, with the first phase focusing on the Manyatta area. Mukubwa expressed optimism about the program’s potential to protect Lake Victoria and eradicate open defecation in the region.
“This lake sustains domestic and other uses, making its protection vital,” Mukubwa concluded, underscoring the program’s importance for the East African Community’s social and environmental well-being.