County, KWS in project to save Lake Kamnarok

The county government will de-silt Lake Kamnarok while the Kenya Wildlife Service will fence it. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • The de-silting process is expected to have finished before the onset of heavy rains
  • The county government hopes to generate substantial revenue from the reserve once the lake is restored and elephants return

The Baringo County government and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have teamed up to save Lake Kamnarok which has dried up because of soil run-off due to over-farming and tree-cutting.

The county has acquired excavators to de-silt the lake in the projects estimated to cost Sh40 million, and KWS will erect a fence around the 87.7 sq km reserve in which the lake is located.

County tourism officer Kipchumba Keitany said surveyors will mark the boundary before fencing begins.

“This will pave the way for the removal of people who have encroahed. We should be able to see beyond farming,” he said.

“We want to regain the original depth of the lake, which was nine metres.”

The de-silting process is expected to have finished before the onset of heavy rains. “Our main aim is to ensure the lake fills up with water. Our efforts are paying off, with crocodiles already occupying the canals,” Mr Keitany told the Sunday Nation.

He said the county, together with the Kenya Forest Service, would also undertake a major tree planting exercise, especially in the Tugen Hills.

The county government hopes to generate substantial revenue from the reserve once the lake is restored and elephants return.

County KWS warden Kenneth ole Nashuu said rangers have already been deployed in the reserve, adding that farming and cutting down trees will no longer be allowed. “This is a gazetted reserve, and no form of lawlessness will be tolerated. We can no longer negotiate with illegal settlers.”

“The officers are there to ensure no further encroachment takes place. We’ve been very lenient to residents,” said Mr Nashuu told Sunday Nation.

He said that once the restoration of the reserve is complete, KWS will stock it with wild animals.

Residents agreed to move out of the reserve to pave way for conservation. “KWS should also restrain the wild animals that have been straying into our farms, damaging our crops and endangering lives,” said the group’s chair and spokesma, Joseph Kiptala.

The families urged KWS to facilitate the relocation of Lake Kamnarok, Chebukar and Cheptigit primary schools and some 1,00 pupils out of the reserve.