Water Hyacinth in Lake Victoria: Tackling the Root Causes

Abstract

Lake Victoria is an asset of inestimable value to the countries of the region, to the continent of Africa, and, given its immense size and ecosystem properties, to the entire planet, to the global climate and to our very survival. It is therefore a matter of extreme urgency that the Lake be saved from the scourge of the water hyacinth, which threatens it with devastation. This article pinpoints the main causes of the spread of this pestilential weed, which must be tackled urgently. Adequate funding, deployment of qualified agricultural extension workers, a radical change in farmers' attitudes, political support, genuine commitment by national and county governments and a lake basin approach, with rigorous application of the polluter pays principle – these are all measures critical to success of the endeavour to rid the Lake of the hyacinth. Strong leadership is needed at the highest levels and the work should start now – immediately – before the portion of the Lake in Kenya is completely choked by a massive carpet of hyacinth: some of it live, sucking nutrients out of the water and some of it dead, rotting and toxic. Left unattended, impoverished communities which derive their livelihoods from the Lake will sink deeper and inexorably into poverty.