Over 300 families in Mwariki-Barut, Nakuru West Sub County were displaced by the rising water from Lake Nakuru in 2021.

These families now say the compensation process by the government has taken too long leaving them suffering from what they say is a natural disaster that met them at their door.

George Mburu, a victim, said that since last year he has been visiting Mwariki where his farm was submerged by the swollen lake where he was farming to sustain his family.

He regretted that his farm had been turned into an open fishing ground with fishermen and fishmongers earning a living from his property without even consulting him.

Mr Mburu who was among 10 locals following up with the county government and local administration for compensation, says the only thing they have gotten is 150 iron sheets which they got from the national government in 2021.

"The iron sheets could not be shared among all the affected people. Therefore, we gave five pieces to each person who wanted to rebuild, giving priority to the elderly locals who were affected," says Mr Mburu.

He added that the county administration in the previous regime was to send in a valuer who was to check the value of their land and property that was destroyed but that is yet to be done.

“We were 325 in total. 157 had erected both permanent and temporary homes whereas the rest were owning land on which they had cultivated. The 10 of us had numerous meetings during former governor Lee Kinyanjui's tenure and efforts to reach the current governor Susan Kihika, have borne no fruits,” Mr Mburu laments.

A Kenya Wildlife Service officer keeps watch to deter locals from fishing at Lake Nakuru.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Speaking with the area chief Mr Oyawo, he states that the victims’ names were submitted to the task force looking into the rising lakes issue.

However, no communication has been channelled to him concerning compensation.

Stanley Mushinga, another local, adds that the community has lost hope with the government’s promise to come to their aid and compensate them for the disaster that fell upon them.

He notes that his land is not submerged in water at the time, but it is swampy. He therefore cannot utilize the land for farming anymore.

Speaking to the CECM Environment Dr Nelson Maara, he acknowledges that a committee was formed to oversee the compensation exercise. He however requested to make no further comment on the matter.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

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'No comment': County remains mum on compensation for Lake Nakuru flood victims

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Purity Kinuthia