By Yoga David
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’on has raised the alarm over rising environmental destruction in the county.He says reckless sand harvesting and murram mining along roads and rivers are worsening the situation
Speaking during a press conference held at his office in City Hall, the governor said the county’s natural resources are being exploited illegally.He warned that uncontrolled activities are causing serious environmental damage.
“Kisumu is endowed with minerals across our eight sub-counties. These resources support livelihoods. We need to harness sustainability and, at the same time, conserve our environment,” he said.
The governor singled out several areas, including Kajulu, Kanyakwar, Nyakach, Usoma beach, Kolwa Central, Miwani, Mbaka Oromo, North Kapuonja and North Seme as environmental hotspots.
He also noted that even the Karateng’ gazetted forest has been invaded. He listed the effects of illegal activities, including land degradation, destruction of fish breeding grounds, noise pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
Governor Nyong’o said the county government will enforce existing environmental laws, including;
The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999, revised 2015), The Environmental Management and Coordination (Sand Harvesting) Regulations, 2024, The Mining Act, 2016, The Kisumu County Sand, Murram, and Minerals Harvesting Guidelines Manual, 2021 and The Kisumu County Finance Act.
“Polluters and environmental degraders in Kisumu County will pay hefty fines, they will also be forced to restore the areas damaged,” he said.
The governor also praised the efforts by the County Commissioner, NEMA, and the county Environment Committee to help tackle this issue.
He also welcomed the State Department:of Mining’s directive requiring all dealers in precious metals and stones to abide by all statutory county and national governments requirements, by registering with the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) by April 11, 2025.
He appealed to Kisumu residents to take responsibility by conserving the environment because our lives depend on it.
“The greatest threat to the environment is the belief that someone else will save it and not ourselves” he said.
He was joined at the press conference by Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, CECMs for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT, George Okong’o, Water, Environment,Natural Resources and Climate Change, Ms Judith Oluoch, Kisumu County Assembly, Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate change Committee members led by Hon. Samuel Dede and other representatives from the county government of Kisumu.