Tens of families that had been displaced by the swelling Lake Naivasha have started returning to their homes following decrease in water levels.
Farmers and traders have also resumed business in parts of the lake amid concern from environmentalists.
In the last couple of months water levels have dropped to 1,890.46m above sea level from 1,891.4m due to the harsh weather conditions.
The chairman of Lake Naivasha Water Resource Users Association Enock Kiminta says despite parts of the catchment recording minimal rainfall, water levels in the lake continue to drop daily.
“In the last six months water levels around the lake have dropped sharply and this could continue if the weather pattern does not change,” he said.
Kiminta said as the water levels dropped, owners of structures that had been flooded had started to return.
“We have seen landlords and farm owners in Kihoto estate return to their premises with the drop in water levels and we wonder what will happen if the water levels rise again,” he said.
But through Kihoto Homeowners Self-help group, over 500 land owners have petitioned parliament to intervene and assist so as to end their suffering.
According to the petitioners Zachary Kamau, Robert Waititu and Lydia Wanjiru the current situation had made it impossible to reoccupy their houses.
“The current situation has led to the deaths of some of our members and hospitalisation of others due to stress and depression caused by the losses,” the petition says.
They added that members have title deeds for the affected parcels of land. However, efforts to seek assistance from other government agencies had hit a dead end.
Speaking earlier, Governor Lee Kinyanjui said that a special team from the national and county governments had been formed to address the displacement crisis.
“Tens of families have been affected by the lake and we are working to make sure the legal landlords affected are resettled elsewhere,” he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
