Stakeholders around Lake Naivasha are warning of mass pollution following a rise in water levels which has flooded several flower farms and nearby estates.
In the last two months, tens of acres under flower production, several estates and tens of structures around the riparian land have been submerged.
Lake Naivasha Water Resource Users Association chairman Enock Kiminta said the lake was highly polluted mainly from informal estates.
A study conducted on three landing beaches had revealed the presence of phosphates, nitrates and coli all washed during rainy seasons, Kiminta said.
“Samples collected from beaches around the lake proved that the water has high levels of metal with raw sewer, the town being a major contributor,” he said.
He revisited the planned construction of Malewa Dam in the Aberdares noting that this could have adverse effects on the lake that supports hundreds of lives.
“There have been proposals that the dam would help reduce the flooding but this would have negative effects on the lake in future,” he warned on Wednesday.
Lake Naivasha Riparian Association secretary Silas Wanjala said the water body is one of the most erratic in the region, with levels rising and falling every year.
Those affected by the current floods had encroached into the riparian land and constructed permanent structures, he said, terming the crisis as self-made.
“The flooding has been caused by the high amounts of silt being washed into the lake making it shallower and flooding nearby farms and Kihoto Estate,” he said.
Wanjala warned that this had affected the quality of water in the lake and put into risk the fisheries sector which employs hundreds of locals.
Speaking while on a tour of the lake, Naivasha deputy county commissioner Mathioya Mbogo warned that the chemicals could hurt the fishing sector.
Edited by R.Wamochie
