Proposal for poverty reduction among the people in Kenyan Gulf Region through sustainable programme of good water quality management.

Abstract

This paper discusses the limnology and hydrology of Lake Victoria, a shared property between the three lacustrine states, namely Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania owning 6, 45 and 49%, respectively. The estimated total nutrient load into water course of Nyanza gulf-catchment area (t/year) due to fertilizer use, annual nutrient concentrations at different stations, spatial comparative nutrient of the gulf, and biochemical oxygen demand levels for some sugar factories are presented in tables. Municipal and livestock effluents in the catchment areas also contribute to nutrient load. The heavy metal evaluation indicated the presence of these pollutants in water and sediments. Winam Gulf covers the administratively Nyanza and Western parts of the Rift Valley. The major sources of water pollution in the area arise from agricultural practices and livestock ranching. The nutrient analysis of Eichhornia crassipes leaves and stems showed that the plants can be used for both animal feed manufacture and compost heap manure besides gas production. The products; organic fertilizers, animal feed and biogas, can form commercial commodities for trade and be a source of income for the communities in the catchment. Employment shall thus be created and hence reduction of poverty while reducing the lake water pollution.