Busia Uganda, Kenya residents bickering over Alupe stream pollution

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A row over pollution of Alupe stream is simmering at the borderline with Kenya between village residents in Busia, Uganda and Kenya.

The stream, which lies on the border, is the main source of water for domestic and livestock consumption to hundreds of residents in the two communities who believe that the pollution is being caused by either neighbour.

Pollution, they say, has resulted in skin diseases, death of aquatic life, livestock, and drying up of crops like yams and vegetables grown near the stream.

According to John Okitui, a resident, several farmers engaged in livestock keeping using Parish Development Model (PDM) programme funds are counting losses following the death of their livestock.

This dam which covers about 80 acres of land is where the dumping of effluent and recycling is done at Wagagai. (Photo by Egessa Hajusu)

James Ekisa from Alupe in Kenya said his three goats and two sheep died mid this year after drinking water from the Alupe stream.

Alupe stream pours into River Okame, which pours into River Malaba, where the residents are also faced with the same challenges.

Alluvial gold mining is carried out in the area by artisanal miners who use mercury to extract gold; however, the stream is also situated near Alupe University and referral hospital in Busia, Kenya and a mining company on the Ugandan side, which some residents claim discharges effluents in the stream.

Robert Ogule fears that if the pollution is not stopped, the problem will affect many people who consume foodstuffs like yams and vegetables believed to be contaminated with mercury, which are grown in the areas Alupe, Okame and sold in Busia town.

It is not us

Efforts to get a comment from Alupe University was futile. However, Allan, the environment officer, Wagagai Gold mining company, said they operate a closed system which does not allow waste to end up in the Alupe stream.

“Waste from this plant goes to the segmentation points, and the effluent is pushed in the retailing dam sealed with dam-proof material not allow any leakages,” he said.

Mugarura said water from the dam and tunnel is recycled back into the plant, noting that underground and the tunnels are the primary sources of water for Wagagai.

Busia district environment officer Jimmy Ngolobe confirmed receiving complaints from residents and noted that he had picked water samples from Alupe and other rivers for testing.