By Tobias Ogutu
Kibos is one of the rivers that drains its water into Lake Victoria. The river is located in Kisumu East Sub-County. Additionally, Kibos River serves as a water source for many people and provides raw materials for the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO). KIWASCO draws water directly from Kibos River, treats it at its plant, and supplies it to residents of Kibos, Mamboleo, Gita, Kajulu, and other upper parts of Kisumu. The river is also used by nearby households for farming and livestock keeping. However, this vital river, which has long served the people of Kisumu, is being polluted by a local sugar company, while the authorities remain silent.
Rose Nyandere, a native of the Kibos area, recalls how the Kibos River was clean before Kibos Sugar and Allied Company began operations in 2007. According to Nyandere, the river has gradually become polluted as the sugar company continues its activities. What is particularly concerning, Nyandere mentioned, is that anyone who tries to raise this complaint receives threats from unknown individuals, warning them to remain silent or face consequences. “If you question or speak out strongly about the pollution of the Kibos River and link it to Kibos Sugar and Allied Company, unknown people may visit your home to threaten your life,” Nyandere explains.
The Managing Director of KIWASCO Company, Thomas Odong’o, confirms that the Kibos River is indeed polluted, and they are spending significantly more money to treat the water compared to previous years before 2007. This clearly indicates that, starting from 2007, something has been polluting the Kibos River at an increased rate. Rose Nyandere identifies the pollutant as Kibos Sugar and Allied Company.
Many environmental advocates have employed various methods to combat the pollution of the Kibos River, including organizing demonstrations, but all efforts have been in vain. Samuel Okinda, a boda boda operator at K’Odemba Bridge in Kibos, directly implicates the Kisumu County Government as a major beneficiary of Kibos Sugar and Allied Company. He claims this is why the company has never been investigated as a polluter of the river.
Many residents of Kibos openly claim that the County Government of Kisumu is receiving bribes from Kibos Sugar and Allied Company and refuses to listen to anyone attempting to link the company to the pollution. The community does not understand why anyone who speaks out about River Kibos and its pollution receives threats from unknown individuals. If the residents are mistaken about the primary pollutant of River Kibos, why are there threats?
It is now high time for the County Government of Kisumu to investigate the matter and transparently clarify who is polluting the Kibos River. If possible, independent researchers should be conducted. The Kibos River deserves protection, as it will still exist to serves future generations, but only if it is well-maintained and kept free from pollution.
