Troubled waters: How Lake Nakuru 'submerged' families have kept afloat
One of the houses that was destroyed when water from Lake Nakuru flooded to the neighbouring residential areas.
It is said that when life gives you lemons, use them to make lemonade. This is what residents of Rhonda, Mwariki and Barut areas in Nakuru West Sub-county did after they were largely affected by the rising waters of Lake Nakuru.
The locals, who had built their homes in areas bordering Lake Nakuru National Park, never imagined that such a phenomenon would occur, leaving them homeless as the water took its course.
During the 2020 floods, some residents were forced to demolish their own homes, salvage some household items and flee the flooded areas.
Three years on, Mtaa Wangu takes a look at how families and locals in the area have found ways to adapt to a new way of life since the rising waters.
At the Barut Centre, we meet Mr Zechariah Karanja, who was a victim of the rising waters.
Karanja tells us that he was forced to demolish his house and salvage some household items before moving into rented accommodation where, unlike before, he has to pay monthly rent.
Zacharia Karanja hopes that families affected by the rise of Lake Nakuru will be compensated.
"My house was affected and I had to demolish it. I looked for a rented house in the nearby centre," Mr Karanja said.
Karanja, now runs a motorbike bodaboda at the Barut Centre next to the Barut Police Post to survive, he admits that life has never been the same.
He points out that although the government has taken a long time to compensate them, adding that he remains hopeful it will happen one day.
Read: 'No comment': County remains mum on compensation for Lake Nakuru flood victims
It is a similar story for Beatrice Wangui - a mother of five who had a permanent home that was destroyed by water.
Beatrice Wangui, a resident at Barut estate.
Ms Wangui says that after she was displaced, paying rent became a big problem for her, but luckily a good Samaritan stepped in and offered her a place to call home.
Although life has been hard for her, the mother of 5 points to a structure she is working on that will be her home when completed.
Ms Wangui, is now a fish trader, and relies on it for her livelihood, even though fishing was banned by the government.
"I get about 500 fish a day, but this business has many challenges since it was banned by the government and the police are not giving us an easy time. Besides the police, the idle young people here are also a challenge for us," Ms Wangui said.
Parkview Senior Assistant Chief Joseph Oyawa admits that 56 hectares of land had been swallowed by the rising waters of Lake Nakuru, 151 households have been displaced and 325 plots of land have been submerged.
Chief Oyawa of Parkview location in Nakuru city.
Also Read: Feature: Lake Nakuru reclaims its space, displacing thousands in Mwariki
According to the administrator, most have moved to other areas such as Mwariki Parkview, Kapkures and Barut Centre, where they now live in rented houses, unlike before when they lived in their own homes.
He adds that those who used to farm have now moved to other fertile areas as far as Njoro where they are given land on lease to continue farming for their livelihoods.
"Sensitisation has taken place; some are now leasing land in other areas to farm. Most of those who were farmers are now hawkers," Mr Oyawa said.
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Related: Troubled waters: Infertile soils, STIs and waterborne diseases haunt residents of Mwariki
