Lake Olbolosatt in Nyandarua County will be the centre of focus during the World Wetlands Day to be celebrated on Friday next week.
This will mark a new beginning for the 30-acre water body, and the only natural lake in central Kenya, when stakeholders from the county and national governments, investors and professionals, both local and international, gather to give it a new life.
The gathering to be led by the Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet secretary will end the human-wildlife conflict, seek ways of saving the diminishing lake and convert it into a tourist and economic hub.
On this day, Lake Olbolosatt will be gazetted as one of Nyandarua County government’s properties, paving way for rehabilitation where community ownership will be the password, according to Water, Environment and Natural Resources executive Simon Ng’ang’a.
What is left of the one-time celebrated lake is muddy water running less than four feet deep against the 20-feet deep water that covered the land some years ago.
It was once a home to more than 300 species of birds including tens of varieties that sought refuge from Europe during winter.
A reduction in the number of fish in the lake has led to a loss of jobs for tens of fishermen, forcing them to seek alternative means of livelihood.
Nyandarua County’s KWS Senior Warden Jacob Orahle speaking to journalists at Lake Olbolosatt. He blamed human encroachment for the declining water levels at the lake. PHOTO | WAIKWA MAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
“I used to get enough fish to sustain my family, earning an average of Sh1,500 in a day. But I have quit fishing; I now rely on casual jobs. The county government should rehabilitate the lake and encourage more investors around to create job opportunities,” said a resident, Joel Mwangi.
According to Nyandarua County’s Kenya Wildlife Service Senior Warden Jacob Orahle, the human-wildlife conflict is caused by human encroachment of the water body, leading to declining water levels.
Weru Ward Rep Mbogo Mburu says there have also been numerous attempts to grab part of the riparian lands around the lake.
“Gazettement of the lake will enable the neighbouring community and the county government transform the lake into a useful resource. It will help [people] engage in many productive activities,” said the MCA.
“We have lost many lives and suffered huge crop losses to marauding hippos. Sanity can only be restored by stopping farming activities along riparian lands and engage [people] in vigorous environment protection and conservation initiatives,” said the KWS warden.
He added that the lake is a critical resource benefiting five counties and is also the source of Ewaso Nyiro River.
According to Nyandarua Water executive, the county has a master plan which it intends to implement after the gazettement of the lake as a county asset.
“We intend to reclaim and rehabilitate all the land surrounding the lake. There are many ecological threats facing the lake such as tree species like blue gum that dry up the wetlands, encroachment on riparian reserves and pollution of the lake [by] human settlements and agricultural activities,” said Mr Ng’ang’a.
In the master plan, the county government intends to fence off the water body, leaving three gates that will be fully guarded.
“We will plant bamboo and other indigenous trees to control soil erosion that has silted the lake. Desilting work is also a priority. The biggest advantage is that the silt is rich in organic fertilizer and we therefore intend to have an organic fertilizer industry in the area,” said Mr Ng’ang’a.
“We intend to promote fish farming with a possibility of having a fish processing industry in Nyandarua. The county government plans to introduce a variety of fingerlings with marked breeding zones. To ensure success, we will promote community participation. We want the community to own and be part of the development,” said the Water executive.
Young people will be supported to engage in economic activities that include boating and other entrepreneurship ventures.
“We have opened our doors to investors. Lake Olbolosatt is going to be a business hub. The investors will create job opportunities for our people. As we appeal for support from the national government through the minister for Natural Resources, we are also going to have county government-public partnerships to help us realise our goals. The lake is a great asset not only to Nyandarua but to all Kenyans,” said Mr Ng’ang’a.
Public Administration and ICT executive Kariuki Mbataru termed the lake as a God-given gift to Kenyans but years of neglect has led to its current state.
“All roads to this facility will be rehabilitated to make it accessible to visitors. Rehabilitation of Lake Olbolosatt is among key priorities of Governor Francis Kimemia who is committed to ensure its potential is fully realised for the benefit of our people and the Kenyan community,” said Mr Mbataru.
