Government to Build Dyke and Launch Irrigation Scheme to Tackle Rising Water Levels in Lakes Baringo and Bogoria

The Kenyan government is advancing plans to address the escalating water levels of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria through two major interventions: constructing a dyke to separate the lakes and developing a large-scale irrigation scheme.

Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation are conducting preliminary assessments for these projects, which aim to mitigate flooding that has damaged homes, schools, roads, and other infrastructure in the region, while also causing loss of life.

Protecting Ecosystems and Communities

The proposed dyke will prevent saline and alkaline water from Lake Bogoria from contaminating the freshwater Lake Baringo. This measure is critical, as the two lakes have expanded considerably over the past 15 years and are now dangerously close to merging, which would cause severe ecological damage.

Alongside this, plans are underway to divert excess water from Lake Baringo into a 100,000-acre irrigation scheme downstream. This initiative is expected to promote sustainable water management, boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, support pastoralist livelihoods, and improve resilience against climate change impacts.

Community Engagement and Next Steps

During a recent visit to Cheseremion Village in Baringo County, Defence PS Patrick Mariru and Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimothi engaged local residents to gather input on the proposed projects. Mariru emphasized the government's commitment to listening to community perspectives and advancing the initiatives promptly.

“The dyke project is being fast-tracked following President William Ruto’s directive, with implementation expected to begin soon after feasibility studies and consultations conclude,” Mariru stated.

Lake Baringo has expanded by approximately 12-14 meters over the last decade and a half, while Lake Bogoria’s water levels have also surged recently. The lack of outlets for excess water in both lakes has exacerbated flooding risks, making these interventions urgent to safeguard the environment and local livelihoods.