Residents Displaced By Rising Water Levels In Nakuru,Baringo Seek Compensation

NAKURU,Kenya, Jan, 29 – Residents In Nakuru displaced from their homes as a result of the rising water levels are now up in arms, accusing the national and county governments of failing to resettle them despite an initial pledge.

The residents said that the government was ‘insincere’ despite promising to compensate them nearly two years ago.

Families living around Lake Nakuru in Barut and Mwariki estates say that despite a fund being set aside for the compensation efforts, no single resident is yet to benefit.

David Kiragu, a former resident of Barut said that despite losing his home and millions pledged to resettle them, the money is yet to be disbursed.

“The county government had pledged to pay rents for victims of Sh 4,000 until an amicable solution could be reached but that was just a political stunt, after the cameras lights faded that is how our plight ended,” said Kiragu. 

The rising water levels in the Rift valley saw residents from Nakuru and Baringo become affected the most.

The rising water levels in recent years has been attributed to the effects of global climate change.

The displaced residents have lost their sources of livelihood as they depended almost entirely on farming.

Kariko Mwangi, a one of the affected residents is calling on the government to declare the affected land as part of the Lake Nakuru and commence compensation forthwith.