County ups efforts to conserve hippo-rich Lake Ol Bollosat

Nyandarua County government has embarked on a programme to conserve Lake Ol Bollosat, the only water body in the Mt Kenya region.

The county plans to plant over a million trees annually, as well as launch other initiatives to help market the lake as a tourist destination site.

Last Sunday, the first Lake Ol Bollosat marathon was launched with hundreds of athletes participating.

Under the theme "Discover Lake Ol Bollosat", the county aims to annually rake in over Sh500 million in terms of revenue. 

Governor Daniel Waithaka said the purpose of the programme was to create awareness about the lake.

"We need to let people know about the flora and the fauna that they can come to watch. We are the only people who enjoy the hippos presence, and we urge people to come and enjoy the scenery," he said.

Mr Waithaka said his government is collaborating with the Tana and Athi River Development Authority, KWS and other stakeholders to ensure that the lake is rehabilitated and protected.

The lake is home to about 350 bird species which include 100 water species that have ring labels on their feet.