Both the national and county governments seem to be doing very less to save the Lake Victoria from its worsening water hyacinth menace.
By now, the water plant is approximated to have covered hundreds of hectares above the waters of the largest freshwater lake in the region.
However, the county government of Homa Bay has since taken it upon itself to salvage the lake which is the main economic source for the entire Luo Nyanza region.
Through its Department of Youth and Culture, the Governor Cyprian Awiti-led county has embarked on a mechanism to train the youth to creatively eradicate the plant.
According to the County Chief Executive Roseline Odhiambo, the county is set to train the youth on how to make manure, furniture, and baskets from the troublesome plant.
“Water hyacinth is a serious obstacle to many economic activities in Lake Victoria. We intend to seriously engage our youths in turning it to manure and other useful products,” she told the Wednesday Standard.
She added that the youth have embraced the proposal and have since sent in their requests to be considered through their groups.
Ms. Odhiambo noted that the initiative will cut across 10 departments of the county government.
She called for positivity in the pending project, noting that the community will also be enjoined in the implementation of the hyacinth eradication campaign.
“I urge youths to be positive in using the weed for economic gain,” she added.
The plant has hindered transport and fishing operations in the lake, an issue that has led residents and local leaders to attract the presdent's attention.