Joseph Oluoch at Lake Simbi Nyaima in Simbi village, Homa Bay County. [Kevine Omollo, Standard]

The mention of Simbi Nyaima elicits emotions in residents of Homa Bay.

The lake at the heart of Karachuonyo has cultural connotations traced to more than 500 years ago.

But its once aesthetic value seems to be waning because of neglect and pollution.

Today, the lake is a pale shadow of its former self after it was turned into a dump site. Joseph Oluoch, a resident, spends time at the banks of the lake to share the history to whoever cares to listen.

During our visit to the lake, Mr Oluoch said the site has been abandoned, with residents saying it is soon losing meaning.

Until few years ago, flamingos visited the lake twice a year, on a seasonal basis. This is no longer the case.

“The lake is left open, and people passing around frequently scare away the birds by throwing stones at them,” said Oluoch.

The greatest challenge is pollution. Oluoch and some residents have taken it upon themselves to monitor the lake and remove garbage.

“This pollution could be tamed if the site was secured with some fence, and a team set up to manage it as well as improve its value,” he said.

Rejected a proposal

The lake is salty, and its depth remains a mystery despite attempts by researchers to unravel it. Oluoch says scholars and university students visit the site for academic and research purposes.

Benard Omondi, a boda boda operator said during free time he volunteers to guide visitors and help them understand the history of the lake.

He said local youth plan to form a group to conserve the lake and market the area as a tourist attraction.

“We even have primary and secondary school children who frequent this place for their history lessons, so we always help them understand all that pertains to the lake,” he said.

Officials of the Homa Bay County Government claim efforts to restore the toursist attraction site was frustrated by MCAs who rejected a proposal to fund the project in the current financial year.

Tourism Chief Officer Francis Gumo said they had sought Sh8 million to develop the site and make it economically viable. “We have set up a management committee, which includes community members, representatives of the county government and other stakeholders who are working on strategies of how to make good use of the site,” he said.