Thousands displaced as Lake Naivasha, irrigation canal burst banks

Residents of Kihoto in Naivasha use a boat to access their homes following rising water levels of Lake Naivasha, on August 21, 2025. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

About 1,000 families have been displaced after Lake Naivasha and Lower Nzoia Irrigation canal burst their banks following heavy rains.

In Naivasha, the most affected are residents of Kihoto estate, where tens of homes, schools, and churches have been submerged in the last one week, with fears that the numbers could rise in the coming days.

The move comes a couple of weeks after the government issued a notice to the families to move out following a sharp rise in the water levels.

The latest incident has raised fears of disease outbreak in the estate that is home to tens of flower farm workers after boreholes and nearby latrines got submerged.

Nancy Nafula, said the flooding caught many families unawares, unlike the past when it was gradual, giving them time to relocate.

She said most families remained in the flooded houses because they could not afford to relocate, citing financial challenges and high rents in nearby estates.

Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo said the government had issued a relocation notice last month, but residents defied it. He noted that most of those affected were living on riparian land, adding that they bore responsibility even as the crisis deepened.

"This is nature fighting back as the same area flooded last year, but the families relocated back after water levels dropped," he said.

In Nyadorera B sub-location, Siaya, residents of Sidundo village are counting losses after water from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Canal broke its banks and flooded homes in the middle of the night.

The incident, which occurred at around 1:30 am on Wednesday, displaced several families.

Residents said clogged drainage channels made it impossible to redirect the excess water when the canal overflowed.

"We were deep asleep when we suddenly realised water was entering our houses. People had to run out with children in the dead of the night," said a resident.

Local leaders and authorities have been notified of the incident. Residents say they are waiting for urgent intervention to restore drainage and prevent further flooding.