The national government has announced plans to revoke title deeds of individuals who have encroached on riparian land in Kihoto, Naivasha, amid rising water levels that continue to displace residents.

During her recent visit in Naivasha , on August 21, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said fraudulent land allocations around Lake Naivasha have worsened the crisis, with some people illegally acquiring titles on riparian land.

“You had a title which you went and secured through dubious means from the lake. That’s not a title deed that is supposed to exist in our books,” Wahome says, insisting that lakes and rivers cannot be converted into private land.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome during her visit in Nakuru on August 21,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

She adds that some parcels were wrongly issued within riparian areas and directed the Director of Survey to return to Naivasha and work with the county government to establish boundaries and protect genuine residents.

“If a lake comes and takes its land, you cannot claim compensation. But for genuine victims, the government will explore interventions,” she says.

The CS further noted that her ministry, and local administrators, are seeking lasting solutions for affected families, noting that the rising water levels in Rift Valley lakes have become a continuous challenge.

In a phone call interview with Mtaa Wangu, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Josiah Odongo confirmed that a detailed report is being compiled currently to determine the number of households affected by the floods and guide government action.

Homesteads in Kihoto, Naivasha where Lake Naivasha has flooded homes bordering the lake.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“Our people are on the ground. They are still doing the report. We do not have data on the number of affected families yet, it is work in progress. But what is clear is that those who encroached on riparian land and even built rental houses there will have their title deeds cancelled,” Odongo said.

He emphasized that while genuine victims could be considered for government support, illegal settlers would not be compensated or resettled.

“We cannot compensate people who illegally acquired riparian areas and processed title deeds for the same. The only thing they can expect is for the government to cancel those deeds. The lake cannot be moved, it is for the people to move,” Odongo says.

A girl sits at the doorway of a house flooded by water from Lake Naivasha on August 21,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

The DCC notes that agencies such as the Kenya Red Cross and the National Disaster Operations Centre are involved in the assessment, alongside the Director of Survey, to establish the true extent of riparian zones.

He concludes by saying, the revocation of illegal title deeds in Kihoto is expected to form part of the government’s broader push to address encroachment around Lake Naivasha, while protecting families who have been legitimately displaced by the swelling waters and find a way to compensate them.

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