Members of Parliament on the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining have urged the Kenya Wildlife Service and local authorities to act urgently to address floodwaters and sewage contamination at Lake Nakuru National Park. The committee visited the KWS headquarters at the park on Saturday and demanded a joint plan to tackle the rising floodwaters and sewage pollution. The impending El Niño rains are expected to exacerbate the situation.
The floodwaters have already had a devastating impact on the park, submerging between 30 and 40 square kilometers of the park, inundating over 24 kilometers of roads, and covering roughly 2,000 acres of fencing. This has displaced more than 200 households and affected KWS staff quarters and wildlife paddocks. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of both wildlife and local communities.
The MPs have highlighted additional concerns, including the risk of electrocution from power lines due to illegal fishing and the potential health impact of sewage mixing with lake water on tilapia and local residents. Njoro MP Charity Kathambi raised the health risks of water contamination, while other MPs called for targeted assistance for women, youth, and displaced families.
The committee has demanded an immediate action plan for the compromised sewage-treatment infrastructure and warned that residents should not be left to navigate disputes between government agencies. The MPs also called for plans to rebuild schools and identify resettlement land for affected families.
KWS has responded that compensation for victims is being processed in phases, with Sh23 million earmarked for the 2026/2027 fiscal year. The service also aims to speed up payments through a shift to digital processing. However, the MPs have reiterated that beyond compensation, the authorities must address displacement, infrastructure damage, education disruption, and loss of livestock.
The committee has warned that further heavy rains could intensify pressure on both wildlife and surrounding communities, underscoring the need for strengthened preparedness and a coordinated, lasting solution. The MPs have called for closer cooperation among KWS, county governments, and ministries to ensure timely support for affected communities.
The situation at Lake Nakuru National Park remains critical, with the need for urgent action to address the flooding and sewage threats. The Kenyan government and KWS must work together to provide support to affected communities and protect the park's wildlife and infrastructure.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has earmarked Sh23 million for compensation to victims of the flooding and sewage contamination.
- The impending El Niño rains are expected to exacerbate the flooding situation at Lake Nakuru National Park.
- The committee has called for closer cooperation among KWS, county governments, and ministries to ensure timely support for affected communities.
