BARINGO (KENYA) – The fresh waters of Kenya’s Lake Baringo is an abode of birds, fish, hippopotamuses and crocodiles and has been a source of support for tens of thousands of people. However, all this can be under threat with the alkaline Lake Bogoria nearby.
Heavy rainfall and ecological destruction indicate that the two lakes are rising and have possibilities of merging.
Jackson Komen, senior warden for the government-run Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for Lake Baringo conservation area, said, “It will be an ecological disaster if the two lakes meet … There is only a small gap left.”
While Baringo has expanded 60% to 270 square kilometres (105 square miles) during the last seven years, Lake Bogoria has swollen by a quarter to 43 square kilometres.
Conservationists say the reason for the rising waters is the coming together of unusually heavy rains and the lakes that have been silting up.
Tor-Gunnar Vanegen, a scientist at the Nairobi-based World Agroforestry centre, said deforestation has lead to erosion on nearby Tugen hills and the soil was entering the lake.
“That siltation is causing the shallow lake to rise,” he told.
Three generations of Roberts lived on the shores of Baringo but the thatched roofs of their safari camp are now covered with water. The distance between the two lakes has now turned half.
Murray Roberts, whose father built the camp, said, “It is disheartening to watch the work that was done by your father and mother, and the work we have done ourselves, being destroyed by water.”
Lechaki Parsaalach, who has lost nine acres of land and his home, said, “I now have to start all over at new grounds. For now I live with my son close by.”