Lake Victoria shared by Kenya 6%, Tanzania 53% Uganda 41% is the second largest fresh water lake in the world at 69,484 square kilometer.
The lake strides the Equator and so has an ecological system of its own, in terms of species.
The lake is a rather shallow lake with the deepest point at 86m and average at 50-60 in deep. It is source to the longest river in the world the Nile River. The Nile snakes for 6,800 kilometers through Uganda, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt whose livelihood solely depends on it, Finally into the Mediterranean sea that separates Africa from Europe.
The Victoria is one of Africa’s sinks that does take all the water from different countries, including Kenya with the majority hence reversing what without it would result in devasting floods that would claim lives and large tracts of Land.
It’s home to Hippos, 3 ½ tones in average weight, Crocodiles (erocodities nicotide), Hairy nosed otters.
It’s home to fish, The chiclides, Hyploclomides, Mudfish, Untrue eels, Barbus and the Extra large Nile perch (Introduced Species) That has led to destruction of the Echo System.
The Victoria has experienced destruction in the hands of man both from upstream and down stream.
Destruction of catchment areas.
Pollution from Industry & Agriculture.
Introduction of species both plant & Animolin, Nile Perch predating on indigneous Species Water hyacinth interfering with Fish, Oxygen levels and communication leading to the death of whole towns. Kendu bay once a thriving town is an example.
This has lead to poverty, disease and even death.
The lake serves the three countries with easy transport ferry boats.
It’s home to many bird life Some endemics e.g the papyrus gonolak the white winged wobbler, Papyrus Sirin and the Caruthers Cistacola and many others.
The wetlands along its short line is home to the rear water Antelope the sitatunga.
The history of the lake & its people is rich and interesting.
This is a lake that still has a chance of being salvaged and restorked.
Fish is still in Abundance on the islands further in.