Over 5,000 residents displaced as Lake Baringo bursts its banks

A partially submerged hotel in Baringo County. Residents are calling on the national government for help.

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

BARINGO COUNTY: More than 5,000 residents have been displaced in Ilchamus, Marigat, Baringo County as water levels in Lake Baringo continues to rise.

The locals have once again been forced out of their homes only months after they returned following another flooding last year.

According to local leaders led by Ilchamus Ward Rep Wesley Lekakimon, 300 households have been displaced from Salabani, 700 in Ng’ambo with farms and houses submerged.

For over four months, residents have been living with relatives along the lake without food with children forced to ride on canoes to attend school.

So far, schools such as Salabani, Ng’ambo, Ilngarua, Loropil, Sintan and Maasai are at high risk of being submerged.

“The displaced persons are now living with friends and relatives in neighbouring areas such as Marigat, with no food nor shelter and cannot go back due to the flooding,” said Mr Lekakimon.

The MCA said the national government has not provided money to the schools affected by ongoing heavy rains to purchase building materials.

Some affected residents who spoke to The Standard expressed their anguish following perennial flooding that has affected their lives.