The theme for this year was ‘accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis’. In order to accelerate the change, KIWASCO alongside the County Government of Kisumu, the Kisumu WASH network, Environmental conservationists, development partners and the Community converged at Kajulu hills to plant trees to mark the day. Over 500 people attended the event which saw them planting 10,000 trees at the Kajulu Intake point.
The Deputy Governor for the County Government of Kisumu was the Chief Guest for the event. Other guests included the CECM Water, Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources Meryline Agwa, CECM Roads and Infrastructure Mr. Salmon Orimba, Chief of Party for the Western Kenya Water Project Mr. Japheth Mbuvi, KIWASCO Chairman Mr. Vinod Patel and our Managing Director Mr. Thomas Odongo among others.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Mathew Owili informed the stakeholders present that the County Government is cognizant of the effects of climate change on water service provision and is now concentrating on water resource management as a mitigation measure against the effects of these changes on water provision. “It is worth noting that sustainable management of water resources requires collaborative efforts hence we should all adhere to regulations set by authorities for drilling boreholes and construction of shallow wells.
In his speech, the Chairman emphasized that it is our duty as individuals and community leaders to awaken the spirit and restore the glory of freshwater rivers and our lake through conservation of the environment. On the other hand, the MD Mr. Thomas Odongo informed the stakeholders of steps taken by the company towards adopting sustainable environmental practices by taking a deliberate effort in environmental conservation. “KIWASCO is working with other partners to eliminate pollution. A case in point is that there are plans underway to construct a sludge drying bed at Kajulu to prevent sludge from being washed back into the River.”
The event would not have been a success without the support of our partners Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Water Services Providers Association (WASPA), Skylark Creative Ltd, Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries, Water Worx (VEI), Shajanand Holdings, Aga Khan Hospital, National Youth Service, Pabari Enterprises Ltd and The Kenya Forest Service.
We call upon the community and all other stakeholders to work together so that we restore the Kajulu forest to its original glory. Let us desist from uncontrolled human activities and other poor environmental practices that degrade the ecosystem. Let us hope for a better tomorrow but work towards it.
