June 2024|  News and latest updates

Safeguarding East Africa’s natural water resources: LVBC and SECOM Join Forces for a Healthy Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, a vital resource for millions across East Africa, faces significant challenges to its condition. To address these concerns and ensure the Lake's sustainability, the Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin (SECOM-LVB) plays a critical role. This article explores the recent 22nd SECOM-LVBC meeting in Kisumu, Kenya (5th to 9th February 2024), and its significance for the future of Lake Victoria.

The SECOM-LVB meeting brought together representatives from all East African Community (EAC) member states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. These high-level discussions focused on crucial issues impacting the Lake basin, including:

​

• Reviewing progress and setting direction: A key function of the meeting involved evaluating the implementation of previous decisions and directives issued by SECOM-LVB. This ensures continuity and allows for adjustments based on past experiences.

• Project oversight and updates: Representatives reviewed the progress of ongoing projects aimed at sustainable development in the Lake Victoria Basin. These projects encompass vital areas like Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate resilience initiatives like the Nile Cooperation for Climate Resilience (NCCR), and infrastructure development through the Multinational Lake Victoria Transport and Communication project.

​

Significantly, the SECOM approved the Lake Victoria Basin Integrated Water Resources Management (LVB IWRM) Strategy, along with its first five-year implementation plan. This comprehensive Strategy provides a roadmap for the basin's future, and to ensure its successful execution, the SECOM directed the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) to actively mobilize resources for its implementation. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of a robust Water Information System (WIS), the SECOM directed the LVBC to establish the necessary capacity and infrastructure for the system. Additionally, they emphasized the need for partner states to actively support the operationalization of the WIS, ensuring a collaborative and data-driven approach to managing Lake Victoria's water resources.

The meeting also acknowledged the successful completion of the Adapting to Climate Change for Lake Victoria Basin project, which concluded in August 2023. Funded by the Adaptation Fund through UNEP, this project addressed climate change vulnerabilities across all five EAC member states.

​

A unified approach to water quality

There was a commitment by EAC member states to develop a harmonized water quality policy for the region. Currently, each nation has its own policies, potentially leading to inconsistencies and hindering effective regional water quality management.

The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), the EAC institution responsible for the Lake's sustainable development, will spearhead this policy development process. This unified approach is expected to establish clear guidelines for restoring the Lake's delicate ecosystem and protecting water quality across the entire region.

Dr. Masinde Bwire, Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), expressed his concern about the Lake's deteriorating water quality, highlighting its negative impact on fish production and the overall economy.  In response, he announced a positive development – the EAC member states' agreement to work on a unified water quality policy.  Spearheaded by LVBC, this policy will establish clear guidelines for restoring the Lake's health and protecting water bodies throughout the region.

​

Collaboration

The importance of collaboration for safeguarding Lake Victoria was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Cabinet Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries from all seven EAC member states participated in the discussions, highlighting the region's commitment to a unified approach.

Leaders like Kenya's Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru emphasized the critical role of regional integration and collaboration in fostering peaceful coexistence and promoting blue economy activities around the Lake. Similarly, South Sudan's Minister for Water and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng, underscored Lake Victoria's importance as a shared resource and stressed the necessity of joint conservation efforts.

The Road Ahead

The 22nd SECOM-LVBC meeting serves as a significant step forward in ensuring the health of Lake Victoria. The commitment to a unified water quality policy, coupled with ongoing projects and a renewed focus on collaboration, offers a promising vision for the future. By working together, the EAC member states and LVBC can ensure that this vital resource continues to provide economic, environmental, and social benefits for generations to come.