The State Department for East African Community presented a report concerning the advancements and current status of the EAC to the National Assembly select committee focused on regional integration.
Based on the contributions submitted during a retreat in Mombasa, the EAC member countries pledged to provide an aggregate amount of $51,464,868. By June 2024, they had sent payments totaling $39,825,033, leaving an unpaid balance of $35,774,455.
Lake Victoria Basin
The funds contributed are utilized by the EAC Commission to support numerous development initiatives and organizations like the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), which serves as a specialized agency within the East African Community (EAC), focuses on overseeing the sustainable use and development of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). This crucial aquatic region spans across three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Initiatives by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission
The commission has allocated funds to various initiatives such as water provision programs, sanitation schemes, watershed rehabilitation efforts, projects aimed at improving navigational safety within the lake, along with restoring the functionality of the Water Quality Laboratory in Kisumu following its destruction due to the unrest surrounding the 2007/08 election aftermath.
1. The LVB-IWRM Project for the Integrated Water Resources Management of the Lake Victoria Basin
This regional initiative, led by LVBC, is being carried out in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania with the aim of enhancing water quality and accessibility via sustainable governance of the LVB.
The funding for this project comes from grants provided by the European Union (EU) as well as by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank.
It encompasses High Priority Investments (HPIs) like:
- Mwanza Sewage System Improvement Initiative (Tanzania)
- The Kisumu Informal Settlement Sanitation Project in Kenya aims to benefit more than 200,000 inhabitants of Manyatta A through expansions in sewage networks, development of on-site sanitation infrastructure, enhancements to water supply systems, and strengthening the capabilities of local organizations.
- Sanitation Facilities in the Luzira Watershed (Kampala, Uganda).
- Kigali Faecal Sludge Treatment Facility (Rwanda)
The detailed technical designs were finalized in November 2024, and as of February 2025, the tender approval process is still underway.
2. Multi-National Lake Victoria Marine Communication and Transportation (MLNVMT)
The initiative aims to improve maritime transportation, security, and safety on Lake Victoria with the objective of fostering trade, tourism, and regional cohesion.
"Kenya has initiated the building of the National Maritime Rescue and Communication Center in Kisumu, with additional Search and Rescue (SAR) facilities planned for development in other lakeside counties bordering Lake Victoria—namely Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori. The Council of Ministers has assigned the emergency response number 110 to this area encompassing the lake region. Furthermore, the Communications Authority of Kenya has already activated this emergency code across both the lake zone and nationwide," according to the state department for EAC.
3. Adaptation to Climate Change in the Lake Victoria Basin (ACC-LVB) Project
This regional initiative was launched across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda aimed at decreasing susceptibility to climate change through enhanced resilience. The program operated from June 2018 until August 2023, and efforts are currently being made to prepare for a subsequent stage, anticipated to be funded with $5 million.
In Siaya and Busia counties of Kenya, it offered locals boreholes, fish cages, beehives, greenhouses, and hatcheries.
4. Scale WAYS Project
The SCALE WAYS Project is a research endeavor active from 2019 until November 2025. Originally planned as a three-year venture, it has been prolonged two times and secured €1.6 million in financing from the Austrian Development Agency, of which €0.433 million goes to the LVBC.
The aim of this initiative is to enhance the resilience of land, water resources, and overall ecosystem health within the Lake Victoria Basin as a reaction to increasing populations, environmental deterioration, and shifts in climate.
5. Nile Collaboration for Enhancing Climate Resilience Initiative
This initiative, backed by the World Bank as part of the Nile Basin Initiative, was granted $30 million to enhance collaboration in managing water resources within the Nile Basin.
The activities encompass stakeholder analysis, conducting situational assessments, and formulating a Regional Water Quality Management Strategy along with an Action Plan.
6. LVBC Headquarters Construction
The development of a cutting-edge office complex in Kisumu, Kenya, featuring two separate wings that will function as the permanent base for LVBC, is currently underway.
The construction started in January 2021; however, phase I was halted because of subpar craftsmanship. Currently, phase II—which includes corrections for issues found during phase I—is almost finished and awaits only an electrical hookup. Each stage has been financed up to $3.54 million through contributions made by member countries of the East African Community (EAC).
In addition to the initiatives managed by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, the EAC also has various programs underway through the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO).
1. EU-EAC Genuine Fisheries Initiative
Launched in December 2018 and prolonged until December 2025, the EU-EAC True Fish Project aims to develop a robust, equitable, and environmentally friendly fish farming industry within the Lake Victoria Basin.
This initiative aims at enhancing capabilities, aligning policies, and promoting sustainability in Kenya’s riverside regions. The funding comes from the European Union via the 11th European Development Fund, amounting to €10.15 million (around USD 10.8 million) in total.
2. E€OFISH Programme
It began operations in 2020 and is scheduled to conclude by September 2025. Nonetheless, it includes a one-year extension at no additional cost.
The program promotes sustainable management and development of fishery resources in Lake Victoria to support the Blue Economy initiative.
Post a Comment