This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
July 12, 2020
The Kalundu River ecosystem in Kitui County is facing a severe threat due to the accumulation of raw human, industrial, and medical waste at the Kitui Township dumpsite.
The dumpsite, situated at the source of the Kalundu River, has replaced aquatic life forms and polluted the once clear waters.
Kitui County Commissioner John Ondego has announced that the government will embark on a clean-up exercise to clear garbage from the Kalundu River Ecosystem under the National Hygiene Programme dubbed Kazi Mtaani.
During a familiarization tour to reclaim the wetland, Ondego lamented that the once riverine wetland has been reclaimed to create space for buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.
He noted that the waters were so polluted they were unfit for human use and could only support limited aquatic life.
"The government will rehabilitate the Kalundu River and its network of tributaries by identifying and sustainably addressing sources of river pollution, reclaiming riparian land, and initiating landscape management activities, which include tree planting," said Ondego.
He attributed the main source of pollution to untreated industrial waste and raw sewage from informal settlements.
Kitui Municipal Manager Job Muisyo emphasized the potential of the Kalundu River basin to become a great tourist attraction, creating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly by making public green spaces along the river.
