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They say necessity is the mother of invention and the community living around Lake Solai—one of the little known lakes in Nakuru—know it better because after they were displaced by rising water levels, great opportunities have opened up. 

A few years ago, Lake Solai was drying up and a big part of it had become a grazing field, then just like many other Rift Valley lakes, the water levels started rising. 

As a result, many homes were submerged by water but the county government of Nakuru has embarked on an ambitious programme.

Yesterday, Nakuru Trade and Tourism CEC Raymond Komen said the county had put in place measures to ensure locals enjoy the benefits that come with resources such as fishing, tourism and expansion of trade.

Speaking a few days after taking a number of stakeholders in the tourism industry around the lake,  Komen said restoration of Lake Solai is part of a broad plan by Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration to ensure that Nakuru reclaims its lost glory.

“We are working closely with Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Tourism Board, tour operators, players in the hospitality industry, government agencies and other partners to make Lake Solai one of the key tourist destinations in Kenya,” he said.

Bird species

“Many people don’t know but there is one species of birds that migrates to Lake Solai from Austria every December. It is a wonderful place for bird watchers. It is a sleeping giant but we have taken the first steps,” he said. 

And, for the first time, fish have been introduced to the lake after some 30, 000 fingerlings were deposited during the event. “We want our people to start eating fish because it is nutritious and good,” said Komen.

He said  the county had also introduced sporting activities in the lake, adding that boat riders from Lake Naivasha have been hired to train locals. “We have a roadmap and now want to actualise it,” he said. 

Komen said the restoration of Lake Solai was in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s efforts to ensure Kenya achieves food security for its people. “It is part of supporting the blue economy and the Big Four agenda,” he added.