Partner DALF (Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fischeries of Kisumu County, Kenya) organised our Kenyan and first Round Table on water policy in the frame of its annual Stakeholders Meeting. The aim of this type of Round Table is to discuss ways for sustainable water supply and management with local key stakeholders and decision makers of the three countries of Lake Victoria – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda – in order to enhance the regulatory framework of water supply and management and available economic support instruments.
The participants included policy makers in the field of fisheries, waste water, public health, environment and energy, as well as representatives from the chamber of commerce and industry associations. The meeting addressed the following questions: What are the existing policies in your organisation on waste water re-use and management; Who are your collaborators in the area of waste water management; How do you finance activities related to waste water, do you have additional funds from other sources; Does your organisation have an agenda on waste water management; and Do you think the VicInAqua solutions in the field of water supply and effective water management could be replicated / used by your organisation?
Participants' main concerns were related to quality and environmental standards, as well as finding an effective way for technology transfer. The project team addressed the doubts voiced and assured that the Kenya Bureau Of Standards (KEBS) will be involved at all stages of the project, especially concering the mebrane bioreactor (MBR) system for water treatment. The technology transfer phase of the project will fasten up in the next months as the VicInAqua research and pilot has reached enough maturity to show concrete results. Furthermore, the project team confirmed that the fisheries Directorate will continuously do quality inspections and a cooperation with the informal sector (Juakali) is planned to guarantee a widespread use of the technology.
The outcomes of the three VicInAqua Round Tables will be gathered and analysed by the VicInAqua team, before being discussed and published as a potential joint agenda for the three Lake Victoria basin countries.
Read more about the VicInAqua Round Tables here.
