Gov't moves to prevent Lakes Baringo, Bogoria from merging as water levels rise

The government has embarked on emergency interventions to restore the natural drainage systems around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria amid rising water levels that have submerged farmland, displaced communities and destroyed infrastructure.

Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho inspected the ongoing works in Baringo County on Saturday, as the government stepped up efforts to address the threat of the two lakes potentially merging ahead of the predicted El Niño rains.

The distance separating the freshwater Lake Baringo and the alkaline Lake Bogoria has narrowed from approximately 22 kilometres a decade ago to just seven kilometres, raising concerns over the possible interconnection of the two ecosystems.

According to technical assessments presented during the inspection, Lake Baringo's water volume has increased by an estimated 1.4 to 1.9 billion cubic metres since 2010, while its water level has risen by approximately 12 to 14 metres.

The lake's surface area, which previously fluctuated between 108 and 130 square kilometres during dry and wet seasons, has expanded significantly, putting neighbouring communities and ecosystems under increasing pressure.

Kimotho said the government had developed a phased intervention programme following public participation and technical assessments by a multidisciplinary team of engineers.

The immediate intervention involves restoring Rivers Loboi and Waseges to their original drainage courses through river training, desilting and the removal of accumulated sediments.

The works are intended to address changes in river drainage patterns and increased water inflows that technical assessments have identified as contributing to rising water levels in Lake Bogoria.

The PS also inspected ongoing drainage channel works aimed at improving the movement and management of excess water around the affected areas, including facilitating the controlled movement of water from Lake Baringo.

Beyond the emergency response, the government is considering long-term investments in water storage facilities, irrigation infrastructure, canals and check dams to turn the region's water challenges into an economic opportunity.

Preliminary assessments have identified the potential to develop approximately 250,000 acres for irrigation, with an initial target of 100,000 acres, subject to detailed feasibility studies.

The proposed programme is expected to expand agricultural production, support livestock development, create employment and improve household incomes in a region where many residents depend on livestock keeping and small-scale farming.

Kimotho commended the technical teams overseeing the interventions, noting that the ongoing works had already created employment opportunities for local residents.

More than 96 residents have been engaged in activities including river clearance, excavation, plant operation and other construction-related works.

The multidisciplinary engineering team is led by Irrigation Secretary for Programmes Eng. Michael Thuita.

Kimotho was accompanied by Secretary for Administration Yatich Kipkemei, Irrigation Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Water Management Joel Tanui, as well as national and county government administration officers and other technical officials.