Machine worth Sh81m idle as water hyacinth chokes Lake Victoria

An Aquatic harvester that was purchased at a cost of Sh81 Million by the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project II (LVEMP II), to be used to harvest water hyacinth. The harvester has been anchored at the Kisumu Pier as the weed continues to choke the lake. [PHOTO: PHILLIP ORWA/STANDARD]

An Sh81 million water hyacinth harvester is lying idle at the Kisumu Port as the weed spreads further on Lake Victoria.

The Lake Victoria Environmental Management Program (LVEMP) bought the equipment after it was proved the weed can be mechanically removed. This is after Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) partnered with the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation to harvest the hyacinth.