EAC sounds alarm over population

The East Africa Community has sounded the alarm over a possible population explosion in the region.

EAC Deputy Secretary General Jessica Eriyo subsequently called for prudent management of resources and the environment to match the population growth.

Ms Eriyo said drastic control of populations within the region was still not the way to go at the moment.

Most developed countries have limited the number of children couples should have as a way of controlling rapid population growth.

"It is not healthy to go that way since countries which have attempted it end up having large ageing populations," she said, adding that cultural issues related to populations should be looked into as the matter is tackled at any level.

Population densities in the lake basin portions of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi are well above their respective national averages.

The official said women who give birth to many children are exposed to much greater risks.

"Young people should be educated on the need to have smaller and manageable families," said Eriyo, adding that the current average of children per couple in East Africa stands at 6.2, which is still high.

Eriyo pointed out that communities should be consulted before policies touching on populations are formulated.

She was speaking at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu at the opening of a workshop on population, health and environment, which was organised by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

The official indicated that better management of resources within the region would go a long way in addressing the ever-increasing population, which she said stands at over 140 million people.