A demonstration project aimed at tackling solid and liquid waste pollution, particularly from wastewater and nutrients, across the County of Vihiga

The County also faces significant challenges in managing liquid waste, with the issue of wastewater and nutrient pollution being among the key issues to address. The urbanization trend in the last decades, occasioned by unprecedented rise in the number of anthropogenic activities has led to an increase in the amount of wastewater produced. The previous urban plan, developed by the department of Lands and Physical Planning, did not envisage a proper sewerage system, and now, most of the wastewater and the sludge produced in and around the County are transported to an open modified unregistered lagoon situated at Kaimosi. Hence, there is a clear potential to implement nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands to treat wastewater. Also, wastewater could be reused and used for other purposes, such as energy production, using biogas, while the sludge collected could be applied in agriculture as fertilizer. These good practices would not only reduce the amount of wastewater discharged into the environment, but also provide alternative sources of clean green energy, and fertilizers.

The local institutions and community will benefit from the demonstration project. Overall, better management practices of both solid and liquid waste, particularly focusing on tackling wastewater and nutrient pollution is expected to bring multiple benefits, in terms of better water quality and improved health, as well economic benefits.

The wastewater and nutrient industries, international policy-makers, as well as regional and national authorities, will benefit from the examples set under these projects including the economic benefits resulting from the measures against wastewater and nutrient pollution, as well as the training and capacity-building activities.

Researchers will benefit from the findings of the project. It will give them opportunities for networking and collaboration in tackling the challenges related to wastewater and nutrient management on a regional, national and international level.

Ultimately, every organization, community, and the wide public with shared or same interest will benefit from the project’s results, as they contribute to tackling crucial challenges related to wastewater and nutrient pollution.