The world's largest prominent alkaline desert lake in Kenya Marsabit County, Lake Turkana, is now slowly loosing the ability to support her rich marine life.
The lake is located in the upper north of the country and borders Marsabit to the east, Turkana to the west and Samburu to the south.
During the rainy season when the lake is full, the water level is about 203km³. At the mention of the word drought, what comes to mind are weak or dead livestock against the backdrop of a dry barren landscape.
It's difficult to imagine that deep inside the lake the effects of drought could be equally massive. The ravaging drought has not only affected human and their livestock but also the marine life.
Its water is receding due to drought and this has led to lower production of fish causing the local fishermen pain with shrinkage in their business.
The government through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is helping by providing engine powered boats to enable them to get to the furthest end of the lake to catch more fish.
According to residents now they can only export within Marsabit County. The Elmolo and some Turkana communities that reside along the shores of L.Turkana entirely depend on fish for their livelihood.
Other than rain water, this lakes also depend on three rivers Ethiopia's Omo contributes the highest percentage of water then Turkwell and Kerio River. Due to failed rains inlets have also reduced.
Lake Turkana lacks outlets and because the water coming in has reduced significantly there has been an increased in salinity.
To the pastoralist around the lake, this lake is still a safe heaven. Due to drought some residents have lost all their goats and are compelled to adopt any lifestyle for survival which is fishing.
Search lifestyle changes have led to conflict among the communities due to the scarcity of the available resources.