Nairobi — Water levels in Lake Victoria were at their lowest in 83 years due increased usage, Parliament heard yesterday.

Water and Irrigation minister Mutua Katuku also attributed the reduction to change of climate in catchment areas.

But a member reckoned that the reduction could be attributed to some mysterious leakage on the floor of the lake.

Possible leakage

Nyatike MP Ochola Ogur (Narc) told the House that the Government should investigate the possible leakage as the reason behind the low levels of water, now standing at 1,133.4 metres above sea level.

Mr Katuku had said that was the lowest level since it dropped to 1,123.9 metres in 1923.

Asked Mr Ogur: "What about the Government instituting investigations to find out whether there could be a leakage on the floor of the lake?"

Mr Katuku said water and environmental experts had spent time at the lake, trying to find the reasons behind the reduction of the water level.

The possible leakage was, however, suggested in a supplementary question by Muhoroni MP Ayiecho Olweny (Narc), who had wanted to know the steps the riparian countries were taking to ensure that the water levels did not go so low as a result of two dams built by the Ugandan Government to generate electricity.

Mr Katuku said that riparian states had formed a commission to deal with the thorny issue of lake water use, the protection of water catchment areas and matters of abstraction.

Causing concern

Baringo North MP William Boit (Kanu) reminded the House that water levels in all Rift Valley lakes were at their lowest.

Mr Katuku attributed that to the change in climate, which was causing concern regionally and internationally. Locally, he said, he would soon gazette the rules to guide the use of water and protection of catchment areas. He said that the ministry was working closely with the National Environment Management Authority.

Reports by Bernard Namunane, Owino Opondo and Caroline Wafula