German govt donates Sh1bn for detoxifying water flowing into Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru. The German government has donated Sh1.54 billion for a detoxification project for water inlows into the lake situated in Lake Nakuru National Park. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Magdalene Wanja

What you need to know:

  • Nakuru Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto welcomed the project saying it was timely as it will save wildlife.
  • A recent report by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) showed that 24 tonnes of plastic are collected annually on grazing fields and on the shores of Lake Nakuru.
  • KfW senior programme manager Ms Lina Dunnzlaff said the project has the infrastructure component of treating waste water.
  • It also has a park component which also involves the management and conservation of wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park.

Water inflows into Lake Nakuru National Park will be subjected to thorough detoxification after the German government donated Sh1.54 billion for the project.

Nakuru Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto welcomed the project saying it was timely as it will save wildlife as well as nurture growth of plants and the provision of clean water for wildlife.

A recent report by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) showed that 24 tonnes of plastic are collected annually on grazing fields and on the shores of Lake Nakuru.

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Speaking during a meeting with officials from KfW, a German government-owned development bank, Mr Ruto said pollution was to blame for a myriad of ailments among them the recent Cholera epidemic that claimed 17 lives in the past month.

“Waste management has become a sour wound that has cost this county.

“Through the project, animals in the park will no longer face to the danger brought about by the raw waste,” said the deputy governor.

KfW senior programme manager Ms Lina Dunnzlaff said the project has the infrastructure component of treating waste water and the park component which also involves the management and conservation of wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park.

“The funding will also see management of waste water and solid waste management which is basically finding a solution to urban wastewater management,” she said.

Three local organizations working with the German cooperation in the project are Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO), Rrift Valley Water Services Board (RVWSB) and KWS.

The deputy governor assured of the county’s support in the initiative through the Ministry of Environment, Water, Energy and Natural Resources.

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