by Christine Lagat
NAIVASHA, Kenya, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Bold measures are imperative to reverse the growing menace of plastic litter in Kenya's fresh water bodies, campaigners have said.
Speaking at a cleanup activity on the shores of Lake Naivasha on Saturday, a world heritage site, the campaigners warned that survival of large fresh water bodies in Kenya is at stake due to plastic waste.
Betterman Simidi, CEO of conservation lobby Clean Up Kenya, said that robust public private partnerships and community engagement were key to revitalize action on plastic waste in fresh water ecosystems.
"Majority of our country's fresh water bodies are choking with plastic litter hence the need for punitive legislation and involvement of local communities to eradicate this menace before it spin out of control," Simidi said.
His organization partnered with UN agencies to undertake clean-up activities on Lake Naivasha shores as a build-up to World Water Day that was celebrated on March 22.
Simidi noted that Lake Naivasha is grappling with high pollution levels linked to solid waste, agricultural chemicals, over-fishing and climate change
"The water level in Lake Naivasha has been shrinking lately due to siltation. Invasive weeds, plastic waste and intensive chemicals use by horticulture farms in the riparian have worsened the Lake's pollution," said Simidi.
Lake Naivasha that is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO also supports agriculture, fishing and tourism sectors in Nakuru County and beyond.
Timothy Kiogora, Nakuru County Director of Environment and Natural Resources, said rapid urbanization and industrial growth have worsened dumping of solid waste into the lake.
"Unregulated discharge of waste water and non-biodegradable material into Lake Naivasha has threatened its survival despite its huge contribution to tourism and agricultural sectors in the country," said Kiogora.
He revealed the national and county governments are implementing joint programs to halt solid waste pollution in Lake Naivasha.
Lis Mullin Bernhardt, Program Officer at UNEP's Fresh Water Unit, said that deterrent measures like plastic ban that was announced by Kenya's ministry of environment on March 14 could re-energize action on solid waste pollution in the country's fresh water bodies.
"Lake Naivasha is a microcosm of solid waste pollution facing many fresh water ecosystems in Kenya. Enforcement of regulations alongside involvement of the local government, private sector and communities is key to reduce plastic litter in the Lake," said Bernhardt.
