Kisumu

Kisumu faces multiple environmental challenges, including such issues as poor housing, industrial and household waste management, and contamination of Lake Victoria, with consequent reduction in fish stocks and adverse effects on water quality. Access to adequate sanitation has remained unattainable for slum households, the city faces a solid waste management challenge, and deforestation on the hills above the city have increased flood risks. Stakeholder engagement through participatory system dynamics workshops has brought together different sectors, including land, environment, housing, transport and public voices, to discuss sustainable solutions to the city’s longstanding challenges. This is done by assessing the decision making and implementation process of existing policies. Systems thinking provides an opportunity to the government to address challenges through a truly cross-sectoral approach. 

“The community expressed a need for housing and sanitation, especially in low income areas. We can synergise with programs looking at accessibility to congested areas, flooding, green energy, and housing. We are optimistic about the impact of the project in the next four years.
Evans Gichana - Chief Officer , Department of Climate Change and Green Energy, Kisumu County