Riparian land around Lake Naivasha set for rehabilitation

A marooned structure in Lake Naivasha following a sharp rise in water levels in various water bodies in Nakuru County. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

The riparian land around Lake Naivasha is being rehabilitated by Nakuru County and environmentalists.

The county will spearhead the planting of yellow acacia seedlings, which have been cut down in recent years by illegal loggers and small-scale farmers.

This comes just a few days after the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) halted ongoing subdivision and tree-cutting on prime land near the lake.

Tens of people have invaded riparian land in recent years, cutting down acacia trees and papyrus plants, and negatively impacting the lake's ecosystem.

According to John Kihagi, the county's CEC for Lands, the county was concerned about the willful destruction of riparian land by individuals and businesses.

Kihagi said in Naivasha that they would involve other parties in the rehabilitation of the riparian land in the coming weeks.

"We have started the process of rehabilitating the riparian land around the lake, which will include the planting of acacia trees and papyrus," he said.

Individuals who had illegally encroached on riparian land were warned by the former Naivasha MP to voluntarily leave ahead of the rehabilitation exercise.

"We will be working with the Department of Lands to help us identify the riparian boundaries so that the land can be protected."