The Shimo La Tewa Prison Project involved upgrading of the existing facilities in the prison so as to improve the living conditions and reduce health risks of the approximately 2500 prisoners and 1500 staff. The ultimate goal of this project was to demonstrate a sustainable manner of pollution control of Mtwapa Creek.
The Shimo La Tewa demonstration project was one of the most important demonstration projects that was being supported by the WIO-LaB project in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. The project through demonstration of sustainable approaches for effective management and protection of the marine environment was supposed to not only transform the way the coastal and marine issues are tackled at both local and regional level, but also have a potential to yield important regional and global environmental benefits.
The specific objectives of the project were as follows:
- Design and construct a constructed wetland facility at the Shimo La Tewa Prison.
- Improve sanitation at the Prison.
- Pro mote and demonstrate the re-use of treated wastewater from the constructed wetland system in aquaculture.
- Promote education and awareness among the inmates and Prison Staff of the prison.
- Enhance the capacity of the prison to manage the constructed wetland treatment system and related facilities in collaboration with other stakeholders.
The project was completed and became operational with minor correctional measures which were undertaken during the reporting period.