The significance of Lake Victoria to the surrounding villages transcends its traditional role in supporting domestic and industrial needs.
For the inhabitants, the phrase “water is life” carries a dual meaning—while the lake sustains life, it has also been a source of tragedy.
With its rich history, Lake Victoria holds a place of local pride and global importance, being the second largest freshwater lake in the world. However, it has also become a backdrop for stories of both survival and loss.
Spanning three countries—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—the lake blurs local administrative boundaries, forming a natural but complex border. Its vastness gives it an almost ethereal appearance, as if it connects the earth to the sky. Yet, despite its beauty and global recognition, Lake Victoria faces numerous challenges. Some are the result of human activity, such as pollution and overfishing, while others arise spontaneously, such as erratic weather patterns or the growth of invasive species like the water hyacinth.
The people who live near its shores are constantly adapting to these challenges, finding ways to both respect and harness the power of the lake. Their relationship with Lake Victoria remains a delicate balance between reverence and resilience.
Ecological threats
Lake Victoria, once renowned for its biodiversity, has faced significant challenges over the past few decades, particularly due to the invasion of water hyacinth. This plant first appeared in the lake around 1987-1989 and spread rapidly, choking the ecosystem by 1998, when it covered an estimated 20,000 hectares.
The proliferation of the hyacinth has had a devastating impact on aquatic life, especially fish, reptiles like crocodiles and hippos, and local communities that depend on the lake for their livelihood.
Water hyacinth poses several ecological threats. It turns the water green, making it toxic for both aquatic life and human consumption.
It also reduces oxygen levels in the water, further harming fish and reptiles by limiting their oxygen intake. Despite efforts by the Kenyan government and international environmental bodies to reduce the plant’s spread, its presence still affects an area of around 17,000 hectares, though projections suggest a decrease by 2025-2030.
Human activities have exacerbated the lake’s deteriorating conditions. The careless disposal of plastic waste into the lake poses additional risks to marine life, including fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and mammals, which can become entangled in or ingest the plastic, leading to death by suffocation, starvation, or drowning. This pollution has worsened the already challenging survival conditions for Lake Victoria’s diverse ecosystem.
The described situation highlights a serious environmental and economic issue caused by improper waste disposal along the shores of Lake Victoria. The use of plastic bags, known locally as juala, and their improper disposal into the lake by businesses is leading to several interconnected problems:
1. Pollution: Plastics and other wastes disposed of in the lake contribute to water pollution, affecting the lake’s ecosystem. These pollutants not only harm the fish population but also disrupt the natural habitat, leading to decreased fish reproduction rates.
2. Reduced Fish Population: The toxic materials from the waste, especially plastics, have long-lasting effects in aquatic environments. They degrade slowly and release harmful chemicals that can damage fish habitats and affect their health and reproduction. This reduction in the fish population directly impacts the livelihoods of fishermen, who depend on fishing for their income.
3. Water Levels Declining: In addition to pollution, the presence of such waste may contribute to the degradation of the lake’s water quality and quantity. The reduction in water levels further affects the fish population and the general ecological balance of the lake.
4. Economic Impact: As fish populations dwindle due to pollution and declining water levels, fishermen and businesses that rely on the lake’s resources are economically strained. This creates a vicious cycle where environmental degradation harms the very people who depend on these resources.
Addressing this issue requires strict enforcement of waste disposal regulations, proper waste management systems, and greater awareness of the environmental impact of plastic pollution. It may also involve introducing alternatives to plastic packaging and providing support to local businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.
The situation in Lake Victoria highlights a significant environmental and public health challenge. The disposal of raw waste into the lake by nearby residents and sea users is contaminating the ecosystem, which is dangerous for both the environment and the communities relying on the lake for sustenance.
Poor sanitation options, largely due to land encroachment and the inability to afford proper waste disposal systems, have driven some families to resort to disposing of human waste directly into the water.
Recognizing the growing threat to Lake Victoria’s health, the Kenyan government, along with county governments bordering the lake (such as Busia, Kisumu, Homabay, and Siaya), has taken proactive measures.
They introduced water buses like the Magenta Water Bus, which are self-contained vessels equipped with toilets. These water buses provide a much-needed solution to the problem of waste disposal on the lake, especially for fishermen who previously disposed of waste in unsustainable ways.
While this initiative helps alleviate some of the environmental strain on the lake, it also underscores the importance of continued efforts toward improving sanitation infrastructure and education for those living near and depending on Lake Victoria. More comprehensive solutions are needed to preserve this vital natural resource.
The issue of sand and gravel mining around Lake Victoria highlights both economic benefits and significant environmental challenges. On one hand, many miners have profited from this activity, transforming it into a lucrative venture. However, the environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled sand harvesting is alarming. Erosion, collapsing water banks, sinking deltas, and biodiversity loss are all consequences of this unchecked activity. The removal of trees and the constant movement of heavy trucks only exacerbate these issues.
Kenya has attempted to mitigate the damage by implementing tree-planting initiatives through government directives. Encouraging landowners, especially those with riparian land, to plant trees has contributed to reducing some of the environmental stress. This approach has shown some success in curbing sand mining activities, demonstrating the potential of government policies to influence both economic practices and environmental conservation.
This case underlines the importance of balancing economic activities with the preservation of ecosystems, especially in sensitive areas like the shores of Lake Victoria.
Human health effects
Lake Victoria, as the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, holds not only ecological significance but also cultural and economic importance for the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its waters, replenished largely by rainfall and numerous tributaries like the Yala, Sondu, and Nzoia rivers, provide life to millions of people who depend on it for drinking water, fishing, agriculture, and transportation.
However, despite its immense natural value, pollution and unsustainable human activities have posed significant challenges. As you noted, the towns and cities surrounding Lake Victoria, including Kisumu in Kenya, have become sources of pollution due to improper waste management.
Untreated sewage, industrial waste, and domestic activities like car washing, laundry, and bathing directly into the lake have led to water contamination, resulting in outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. These activities, combined with agricultural runoff, have contributed to the degradation of the lake’s water quality, making it unsafe for direct consumption.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the three countries formed the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), headquartered in Kisumu. The LVBC works on creating shared policies and frameworks to conserve and rehabilitate the lake and its surrounding ecosystems. Their efforts include managing water resources more sustainably, addressing pollution sources, and fostering regional cooperation for environmental protection.
While the lake remains a critical resource, addressing these health and environmental concerns is vital to preserving its status as a regional and global treasure. Continued collaboration, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and community awareness initiatives are key to ensuring Lake Victoria’s waters remain clean and usable for generations to come.
