Rising Lake Naivasha waters displace 4,000 families as experts warn it is 'ticking time bomb'
The worst-hit areas include Kihoto, Karagita Landing Beach, and North Lake, where floodwaters have carried raw sewage, industrial waste, and fertilisers into the lake.
Rising water levels in Lake Naivasha have forced more than 4,000 families to abandon their homes, with flooding affecting estates, farms, and hotels around the lake.
Residents and authorities are warning that the situation is worsening, raising concerns about pollution and potential health risks.
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The worst-hit areas include Kihoto, Karagita Landing Beach, and North Lake, where floodwaters have carried raw sewage, industrial waste, and fertilisers into the lake.
Locals say this has led to serious contamination, threatening both the environment and the livelihoods of fishermen.
Lake Naivasha Basin Landscape Association (LANABLA) Chairperson Dan Karanja Nyoro called the situation a “ticking time bomb,” emphasising that the growing pollution and displacement could trigger a major crisis if not addressed urgently.
“Raw sewage from estates and hotels, combined with fertilisers, is being washed into the lake daily — even as the water levels continue to rise,” Nyoro said.
He added that submerged pit latrines in nearby estates increase the risk of contaminating the lake, endangering the fishing communities who rely on it for their income.
Nyoro also pointed out that fish catches have been falling since early 2025, blaming the decline on pollution.
Grace Nyambura, representing the Lake Naivasha Beach Management Units, reported that the southern part of the lake, home to most hotels, farms, and informal settlements, now has almost no fish, forcing fishermen to move north in search of viable waters.
The government had issued relocation notices last month to those living on riparian land, warning of the risks posed by the rising lake. However, many families remain in vulnerable areas, ignoring the instructions.
Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo confirmed that the number of affected families continues to grow and criticised residents for defying government directives.
He warned that the swelling lake poses serious dangers and urged compliance with relocation orders to prevent further displacement and potential health hazards.
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