Maseno to launch Sh136 million Lake Victoria study

East African Community countries flags fly at a past EAC investment forum. The secretariat will start vetting South Sudan, which may join the bloc in April. FILE

By ANITA CHEPKOECH

In Summary

• The study titled ‘‘Collaborative Lake Victoria Comprehensive Research and Development’’ was planned in liaison with the Centre for Research and Development at a workshop in Kisumu late last year.
• The study is meant to explore ways to improve the state of the world’s second largest fresh water lake and its aquatic life.

 

Maseno University has embarked on a Sh136.7 million research on Lake Victoria following an agreement with Nagasaki University of Japan.

The study titled ‘‘Collaborative Lake Victoria Comprehensive Research and Development’’ was planned in liaison with the Centre for Research and Development at a workshop in Kisumu late last year.

Maseno University and Nagasaki University signed a memorandum of understanding for the study meant to explore ways to improve the state of the world’s second largest fresh water lake and its aquatic life.

Scientists drawn from the two institutions as as well as the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Moi University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology also attended the workshop.

Collins Ouma, the director of research, publication and consultancies at Maseno University, chaired the event. “Based on the existing data, we hope to explore the hydrodynamic and ecological models for Lake Victoria and Nyanza gulf at large,” he said.

The project to be launched next week, is funded by the Japanese government with the Kenyan government expected to support 10 per cent of the budget.

Prof Ouma said additional studies on aquaculture and post-harvest technologies would be conducted involving Beach Management Units to help develop acceptable fisheries innovation for adoption by local communities.