Residents of Kihoto estate in Naivasha sub-county are on the verge of displacement due to the rising water levels in Lake Naivasha.
Hundreds of homesteads situated on the lower part of the estate adjacent to the lake might therefore be forced to relocate following the looming disaster as the pounding rains continue to fill up the lake.
The residents are, however, reluctant to move since they have settled there for years with nowhere else to relocate to. Most of them have encroached on the land that was previously covered by water before the lake’s water levels decreased due to the irrigation activities around the flower farms.
“I have lived here for 15 years. I don’t know where I can relocate to if the water levels continue to rise. We hope the rains will subside soon so that we can continue our stay here," said Amos Njatha, a resident.
Nevertheless, it is apparent that human activities around the lake have contributed to the rise as some have even started farming activities next to this large fresh water body thus leading to the danger in waiting.
“This is the only piece of land I have from where I get something to feed my family of four. If the government might opt to relocate us, then it must give us a place to settle."
"It is not so safe here but if we have nowhere else to go, then we can stay and hope that nothing will happen,” said Mary Nyambura, a mother of four.