KWANIA, February 20, 2026 — The Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment [MWE], has launched Phase II of the demarcation of boundaries along Lake Kwania in five sub-counties of Kwania district.
The exercise involves marking a buffer zone along the lake’s shores using concrete pillars. The initiative, which stems from a Cabinet resolution aimed at preventing the devastating effects of floods, began in 2021 but stalled due to financial constraints.
Since its inception, a total of 31.5 kilometres have been demarcated in Atongtidi Subcounty and parts of Chawente and Nambieso sub-counties.
Fausia Namukuve, Principal Environment Officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the ongoing phase covers Atongtidi, Chawente, Nambieso, Ayabi Subcounty and Ayabi Town Council, all located along the shores of Lake Kwania.
According to Namukuve, the exercise seeks to restore degraded wetlands and curb recurring floods that have affected communities around the lake.
“In 2019, properties worth millions of shillings were destroyed by floods, several roads were cut off, gardens and houses were submerged. One of the interventions was to come and show residents where they should settle so that, in future, we do not face such hazards,” she said during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at Ayabi Subcounty headquarters.
Jimmy Okweny, Kwania District Senior Environment Officer, said the government will install concrete pillars at a distance of 200 metres from the lake to clearly mark the buffer zone.
He explained that only regulated activities, such as grazing, irrigation and cultivation — will be permitted within the buffer zone, in line with the National Environment Act.
“We shall allow grazing, cultivation and beekeeping, but we are discouraging illegal activities and land conflicts within the protected area,” Okweny said.
Residents urged to diversify livelihoods
Ronald Otim, the Kwania District Fisheries Officer, encouraged fishermen to explore alternative sources of income, including fish farming, irrigation and vegetable growing.
Emma Okalang, the District Natural Resources Officer, urged residents living near Lake Kwania to prioritise environmental conservation.
“We should not hesitate to protect the lake because it is the source of our livelihoods. If we destroy it, we destroy our own survival. When mismanaged, the lake can become destructive in its own way,” he warned.
Residents Welcome the move
Beatrice Alele, a resident of Chawente Subcounty, welcomed the demarcation exercise and urged the ministry to expedite the process.
Another resident, Moses Alem, said the initiative was long overdue.
“Demarcating wetland boundaries is a good move. We have suffered enough. I strongly believe this will protect us from unpredictable weather patterns,” Alem said.
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