The Principal Secretary at the State Department of Environment Charles Sunkuli has underscored the need for a clean environment in Lake Victoria Basin.
Sunkuli called on Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project Phase Two (LVEMP II – Kenya) to put more emphasis in ensuring that this is achieved.
The PS made the remarks on Saturday while chairing the 15th National Policy Steering Committee of LVEMP II – Kenya in Kisumu.
He noted that Lake Victoria Basin is important and strategic economic zone for the country and cautioned that the growing population in the Basin has a right to a clean and healthy environment as enshrined in the Constitution and Vision 2030.
The PS directed the co-opting of the county government teams from the project catchment to be attending such meetings.
“We must move as a team, let the county governments officials be included in such talks so that we can achieve desired results,” he said.
Sunkuli appointed a committee to oversee smooth implementation of Community Driven Development (CDDs) Sub Projects and address emerging issues.
He further directed that ten community members from 10 CDD groups be trained at Kenya Forestry Training College, Londiani for two weeks in tree nursery establishment and management.
“These groups must be trained on the basics on how to plant trees, our trees sometimes fail to grow to maturity due to lack of knowledge,” he said.
The PS also emphasised the focus of the national government in enforcing Waste Management regulations, and urged the Project to ensure that proper mechanisms are put in place to ensure efficient management of the sewerage facilities by the respective county governments.