By KPC Reporter
The German Cooperation has reaffirmed its commitment to improving sanitation and protecting the Lake Victoria ecosystem through a regional programme being implemented in partnership with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission across four East African Community (EAC) partner states.
Speaking during the Development Partners Roundtable held as part of the inaugural Lake Victoria Day in Mwanza, Tanzania, recently, KfW German Development Bank Tanzania Country Director Vanessa Eidt said the initiative is backed by a substantial investment portfolio aimed at strengthening Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the basin.
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Ms. Eidt revealed that of the active EUR 83 million (approximately Sh8.7 billion) portfolio dedicated to IWRM in the Lake Victoria Basin, EUR 57 million is being implemented by KfW as grants. The programme is also receiving additional support through a European Union grant for water-sector infrastructure investments in Kisumu, Kampala, Kigali and Mwanza.
“We are pleased that the tendering process for the construction works under the so-called High Priority Investments (HPI) for wastewater management infrastructure has commenced,” Ms. Eidt said.
She noted that the investments are expected to significantly reduce pollution flowing into Lake Victoria.
“These important interventions will significantly reduce effluent discharge into Lake Victoria and directly support the lake’s catchment basin. Through these investments, improvements in the water quality of Lake Victoria will be realized, while delivering tangible benefits to sanitation conditions in the four participating member states,” she said.
Ms. Eidt commended governments, regional institutions, scientists, community groups and development partners for their role in advancing the programme. She also underscored the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening policy harmonization, environmental governance, water resource management and climate resilience.
The regional sanitation initiative will benefit the cities of Kisumu, Kigali, Kampala and Mwanza.
In Kisumu, the project will finance the construction of 550 modern toilet blocks in the Manyatta A informal settlement. It will also support a 15-kilometre extension of the sewerage network to reduce the discharge of untreated waste into Lake Victoria.
In Mwanza, the High Priority Investment project will focus on expanding sewer connectivity to enable optimal utilization of the existing Ilemela Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) up to its installed capacity.
The Mwanza component includes the construction of 14.4 kilometres of infill sewer lines to collect and transport wastewater from Igogo, Kitangiri, Kirumba, Pasiansi and Nyamanoro to the treatment plant.
The project will also facilitate the installation of 1,600 new sewer connections for households and institutions, alongside hygiene promotion and public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging better sanitation practices.
Officials say the investments are expected to improve sanitation services, protect the environment and enhance public health outcomes across the Lake Victoria Basin.
