UHAI LAKE FORUM
A society of secured persons
A society of secured persons
Uhai Lake Forum, in partnership with the People of Japan and the Amkeni Wakenya UNDP project, is actively leading an inclusive and multi-sectoral response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kisumu County. The initiative focuses on addressing the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, particularly by empowering local governance structures such as the Kisumu County Environment Committee and the Kisumu Court Users Committee. The project aims to protect the land, environment, and property rights of vulnerable community members, with particular emphasis on marginalized populations who often face systemic challenges in accessing justice and resources. This initiative also works towards enhancing the capacity of local committees, ensuring they can safeguard these rights in a post-COVID environment. By strengthening governance at the local level, the project promotes fair and sustainable development that reaches the most vulnerable communities. Targeted at Nyakach, Kisumu Central, and Seme sub-counties, the project focuses on governance capacity-building, community participation, and inclusive decision-making, thereby ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to protect and benefit from their natural resources.
Uhai Lake Forum is spearheading a critical study that aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within Kisumu County. This project focuses on developing a Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI), which identifies and prioritizes key sources of GHG emissions across sectors. The data collected will provide vital information for stakeholders, enabling them to create targeted strategies for reducing emissions in the region. In addition to the BEI, the project involves a Risk Vulnerability Assessment that analyzes how climate change impacts the region’s ecosystems, infrastructure, and local communities. The Access to Energy Assessment (AEA) will also play a significant role by evaluating the current access to electricity and clean cooking technologies, especially focusing on the affordability, sustainability, and security of these energy solutions. Through a partnership with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA) and support from Expertise France, Uhai Lake Forum is working to implement the Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) for Kisumu County. The plan aims to combine these three critical studies to create a cohesive approach to climate action that will drive sustainable development, unlock climate finance, and help the county adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
The Justice and Peace project, supported by CAFOD, is focused on mitigating community conflicts within the Nyanza and Rift Valley regions, two areas that have historically experienced social and political tensions. The project’s main objective is to foster peace and social cohesion among communities that have experienced conflict, particularly after the post-2007 election violence, which deeply affected the social fabric of the region. A major aspect of the project is its focus on empowering the youth, women, and elders in conflict resolution. By providing them with training in peacebuilding, these groups are equipped to act as ambassadors of peace and engage in local, regional, and national dialogues. Additionally, the project promotes political and civic participation to reduce violence linked to political affiliations and resource conflicts. In line with the Kenyan government's broader peace agenda, which includes the National Peace Policy and the National Cohesion and Integration Policy, this initiative also works within the framework of the new Constitution, police reforms, and land reform policies. By working with local stakeholders, the project ensures long-term peacebuilding and supports efforts to uphold justice and equality for all community members.
Uhai Lake Forum has long been committed to environmental conservation within the Lake Victoria Region, implementing various initiatives that focus on sustainable land and water management practices. One of the flagship initiatives, the Greening Rusinga Island project, has seen close to one million trees planted along the shores of Lake Victoria, creating a buffer zone that protects the ecosystem and helps restore biodiversity in the area. The project also supports the development of community-based tree nurseries, which supply seedlings for annual tree planting activities. These nurseries are integral in ensuring the sustainability of tree planting efforts and contribute to community empowerment. Through its partnerships with local communities and international organizations, Uhai Lake Forum also supports environmental awareness programs that encourage people to take action to protect their natural environment. The forum organizes annual World Environment Day events, where communities participate in cleanups, tree planting, water hyacinth removal, and recycling activities. These events are aimed at increasing environmental awareness while addressing pressing issues such as deforestation, water pollution, and habitat loss. Furthermore, the forum promotes alternative energy solutions, including solar cookers and energy-efficient ceramic cookstoves, to reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainable development practices.
The Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation project was developed in response to the impacts of climate change observed in Kisumu County, particularly flooding in the Kano plains. The project is rooted in a study conducted by Uhai Lake Forum in 2009 in collaboration with JICA and WRMA, which identified key flood-prone villages in need of urgent intervention. The findings from this study laid the foundation for the community action plans that would drive the project’s interventions. In partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the project has been instrumental in piloting climate change adaptation strategies using the LOCATE (Local Options for Communities to Adapt and Technologies to Enhance Capacity) methodology. The communities in Oyola and Wakesi villages have been trained to implement various climate-resilient measures, including the construction of water pumps for flood mitigation, planting drought-resistant crops, and the use of renewable energy technologies like solar cookstoves. The project also collaborates with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to promote indigenous food crops and improve agricultural resilience through the use of climate-smart practices. By enhancing the adaptive capacity of local communities, the project aims to create a model for climate adaptation that can be replicated in other flood-prone areas across the region.
The Lake Victoria Day Advocacy Forum, organized by Uhai Lake Forum each year from April 12th to 14th, is an important event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of Lake Victoria and its surrounding ecosystems. The forum brings together stakeholders from various sectors, including government representatives, local resource users, NGOs, and community groups, to discuss the challenges facing the lake and to promote conservation efforts. The event, which has been running since 2000, features advocacy campaigns, field visits, and discussions on key topics such as water and fishery management, land use, and the preservation of natural resources. It also provides a platform for local communities to voice their concerns and propose solutions to the issues that directly affect their livelihoods. The forum’s thematic discussions address urgent issues like poverty, environmental degradation, and resource depletion, and it emphasizes the role of local communities in resource governance. With the support of partners such as LVEMP, ActionAid, and WRMA, the forum has become an important tool for capacity building and policy advocacy, ensuring that the needs of the Lake Victoria communities are heard and addressed.
