Hundreds of families at risk as Lake Baringo water levels surge again

The rising waters have already submerged parts of Loruk Primary School, affecting over 60 students and posing risks to local residents.

Albert Kibidi, a carpenter living in Loboi Centre, has been closely monitoring the situation as the water now stands just 50 meters from his home. 

Displaced by similar floods in 2020, he had returned after the water levels receded, only to face the same uncertainty again.

"We are the last ones left," said Kibidi. "We are beginning to panic; the water is moving fast. If it continues like this, it will swallow our buildings, and we’ll be forced to leave."

Lilian Rebecca, another resident, is also grappling with the rising waters, which have begun to seep under her house. 

"Honestly, the water is getting under the house. We have no peace at night; the lake could reach us and sweep us away," she said.

The impact extends beyond residential areas. Loruk Primary School, which was submerged in 2020, is once again facing challenges, with the playground now underwater. 

The situation is made more dangerous by the presence of hippos and crocodiles that have taken over the flooded area, creating a significant risk for the boarding students, especially at night.

"We are worried about the safety of our students, especially with the wildlife roaming freely at night," said Issac Rerimoi, headteacher of Loruk Primary School.

The tourism sector in Baringo is also suffering due to the swelling of the lake. Several hotels located along the lake's shores have been submerged, cutting off access for visitors and threatening livelihoods in the region.

"We don’t know whether the Rift Valley is expanding, but we have to study the rising water levels. The volume of water is increasing rapidly," explained Risper Chepkonga, the County Executive Committee Member for Tourism in Baringo.

Environmental experts attribute the rising water levels to heavy rainfall in recent years, but the long-term implications remain uncertain. As the lake continues to swell, residents, businesses, and local authorities are left in a precarious situation, searching for solutions to mitigate the ongoing crisis.

This surge has reignited fears among residents, many of whom were displaced during the last rise, and now anxiously await government action to safeguard both their homes and the environment.