As residents affected by the rising of Lake Nakuru recover from the pain and anguish flooding their lives, eyes have now turned to a report that sought to give the way forward to this community.

The report was constituted by a Technical Taskforce to carry out an Assessment of the Rising Water Levels, Flood Related Implications and Riparian Zone Beaconing in Lake Nakuru.

The study showed that the extraordinary rise in lake water levels is mainly caused by a strong response to the enhanced rainfall during the 2010-2020 periods, Increased river flow has led to increased water levels in Lake Nakuru, and Sediment deposition.

The boundary between Lake Nakuru National park and residential areas in Mwariki estate.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

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According to the report of the Taskforce, Lake Nakuru might double its water level by 2030 to cover 82 square kilometres from the 43 square kilometres in 2010.

The areas that are likely to be affected if this happens are to the South and North West where there are developed properties that would be affected by water.

“Although the property owners may not be asked to move, they should be made aware that they inhabit areas that may be flooded at some time in the future. They may be asked to develop their plots with this fact in mind,” the report states.

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Majority of the locals from mapped out areas that are prone to risks of rising water from Lake Nakuru seem to be aware of the findings of the report.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, the locals say the local administrators have sensitized them on the risks of living within the Lake’s environs.

Ms Cornelia Adhiambo is a resident of Mwariki C that is adjacent to Nderit area that was earmarked as a risky area in the report on the rising water level of Lake Nakuru.

Ms Cornelia Adhiambo, a resident of Mwariki C. the estate has been mapped out as likely to be affected by the rising of Lake Nakuru.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI/MTAA WANGU

She says though sensitized on the risks, the locals in the area are not worried as their settlement is on the upper part of the Lake.

“We are not worried because we know even if the water level in Lake Nakuru rises, we will be the last people to be affected,” says Adhiambo.

On his part David Muniu who was born and raised in Mwariki-Nderit area, adds that from childhood they have heard numerous stories of Lake Nakuru rising, but no effect has been felt on the other side of Nderit main entry to the Lake Nakuru National Park.

David Muniu a resident of Mwariki-Nderit.

Photo credit: PRISTONE MAMBILI/MTAA WANGU

While admitting that the report is in the public domain, Muniu says as residents, they believe that Lake Nakuru is tilted towards the other side of the City- hence in case of future rise in water levels the effect will not be felt on their side.

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In the Kaloleni estate of Kivumbini Ward that borders Lake Nakuru on the Eastern part of Nakuru City, we meet Christopher Kivunaga.

Kivunaga notes that there has been worries among locals especially after the stories of rising water levels of Lake Nakuru.

He points out that the government should move with speed and ensure in case of such incidents in future, no lives are lost or property destroyed.

“We know for sure that we are living in a risky area due to Lake Nakuru. However, the government should not just release a report and sit back, instead there should be a mechanism to help relocate people to safer places,” says Kivunaga.

Two Mwariki residents trespass into Lake Nakuru National park in search of fish.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

The Report further recommends the beaconing of Lake Nakuru initial boundary to avert further possible disasters from the rising water levels.

Upon completion of beaconing, an appropriate compensation scheme was to be established for the community surrounding the lake in areas such as Mwariki and Parkview in Barut, Kaloleni and Mwariki B in Nakuru East.

The disaster caused by the rising water levels of Lake Nakuru have also had a negative impact on the land in the area as a 50 by 100 plot would be going for up to Sh 2 million but that is not the case.

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The value of land, according to the Chief, has depreciated with no one willing to buy land here as the soil is not okay for farming.

“We had 50 by 100 plots going for between Sh 600,000 and Sh 700,000 but if the rising water levels had not happened, we could be talking of such plots going for up to Sh 2 million here,” says Oyawa.

Mr Eistein Mujumba from Hyssop Properties in Nakuru City argues that natural disasters such as what happened at Lake Nakuru has a negative impact on the value of land.

Mr. Einsten Mjumba, the head of business at Hyssop Properties

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

He is however quick to note that Nakuru City and neighbouring areas have not experienced depreciation in value of land.

According to Mujumba, land and property value in Nakuru has continued to appreciate with especially areas near natural resources.

“Nakuru city has continued to experience appreciation in the value of land up to 10 percent. Areas such as Mwariki and Barut in Nakuru West have continued to be affected by floods and rising water from Lake Nakuru but the value of land will never go down,” he says.

Though the report was done during former Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s time, it is now up to Governor Susan Kihika to implement it.

pmambili@gmail.com

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Pristone Mambili