Rising waters from Lake Naivasha have displaced an estimated 7,000 residents in the Kihoto district, as the lake inundates homes, schools, and public buildings. The flooding, which has pushed the lake up to 1.5 kilometres inland, has caught locals by surprise despite a decade of steadily rising water levels.
Residents are navigating flooded roads using makeshift rafts, while tourist boats have been repurposed to evacuate affected families. Many homes are submerged, toilets overflow, and essential services including police stations and churches are underwater. Authorities report that workers in the flower-exporting sector are refusing to show up due to health risks such as cholera, and wildlife, including hippos, pose additional dangers.
County officials are assisting with transportation and implementing health measures, but no financial compensation has yet been offered. Experts attribute the flooding primarily to increased rainfall linked to climate change, though tectonic activity along the Rift Valley fault line and land degradation also play a significant role.
