Experts seek clues to rising waters in lakes

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By VINCENT MABATUK

NAKURU, KENYA: Residents who have for years lived near the water in the lakes of Rift Valley were in 2013 forced to look for alternative homes after several lakes burst their banks and displaced thousands. 

The new phenomenon experienced in the region for the first time in 60 years attracted the attention of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) that is now organising for scientists and environmental experts to research the cause.

But it is not only KWS that is worried. In November, President Uhuru Kenyatta toured Baringo County and told area residents that he would constitute a team of scientists to interrogate water levels that have risen in the lakes.

Thousands displaced

Lake Nakuru alone has increased from 42 square kilometres to 68 square kilometres while the expansion of Lake Baringo by tens of kilometres led to the displacement of thousands of residents.

Jets of hot water shooting over a metre from the ground have for a long time been a major attraction for both local and international tourists at Lake Bogoria.

The awesome phenomenon of more than 16 hot water springs boiling from the ground and slowly flowing into the lake was a wonder to behold. But the beauty of hot springs and geysers has been submerged.

From the shoreline, one could see what were initially warning sign boards partially submerged.

This was contrary to about eight years ago when Lake Nakuru had almost dried up.

KWS Senior Deputy Director Michael Kipkeu says they were concerns over rising water levels and risks of flooding.

Exact cause

“Research will be carried to establish the cause. Rising water levels are being experienced across the Rift Valley in Africa and not just in Kenya hence the exact cause is needed,” Kipkeu said.

The swelling of Lake Nakuru, a bird watchers’ paradise, Rhino Sanctuary and also a Unesco National Heritage has led to migration of flamingos to Lake Bogoria which is facing a similar threat.

Rift Valley geologist Enoch Kiptoo Kipseba stated the main reason was continuous rains in most parts of the country, leading to siltation in the lakes.

He said Lake Baringo, which is a fresh water lake, has an underground outlet that is likely to have been blocked due to the effects of siltation and excessive rains experience in the region for the last five years.

“Water entering the lakes compared with exit cannot match. It is possible underground outlets were blocked due to continuous erosion and transportation particles into the lakes”, explained Kipseba. 

In Nakuru alone, it displaced animals, rangers’ quarters in the park and some offices have been submerged and thousands of Acacia trees drying up. Staff residents have been transferred outside the park after their houses were submerged.

In all the affected lakes, including Elementaita, Oloiden and Naivasha, roads have been closed down but the KWS has constructed alternative roads to facilitate game drive for tourists.

Massive destruction

In 2009, the three rivers that fed the world-famous Lake Nakuru had dried up, leading to flamingoes fleeing from the area. The drying of rivers Makalia, Nderit and Njoro was blamed on the massive destruction of the Mau Forest Complex.

River Larmdiac, an underground water source inside the park, had also dried up many years ago, but it has become alive and has even caused fault lines in the park.

Baringo County Senior Warden William Kimosop said geysers being covered by water is not new.

“It is rare though as most of the time the water level is low. It occurs once in every 10 years,” he said.

He said the water levels started rising following heavy rains that hit highlands surrounding Lake Bogoria around September.

He said heavy rains in Subukia in Nakuru North District as well as Mochongoi area led to the rise in water levels by three metres.

Lake Nakuru Park has over 450 bird species, with the biggest percentage being flamingos and pelicans, but the birds have been migrating to Lake Bogoria.

Senior Park Warden Adan Kala says the migration was occasioned by a shortage of blue and green algae.

Lake Oloiden was formerly part of Lake Naivasha but it is now separated from its southwest shore by a stretch of elevated land. The flamingos that migrated there from Lake Nakuru due to the prolonged rains, are in search of another place to live after the small lake flooded recently.