Leaders Call For Quick Resolve Of Lake Kanyaboli Waters
By KNA, June 27, 2023Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has appealed to the National Government to dispatch the National Youth Service (NYS) and the military with a view to address the broken dyke at Kanyaboli Oxbow Lake in Siaya county.
Speaking during a visit, Otuoma noted that lake was draining very fast due to the broken dyke hence the need for immediate intervention failure to which it degenerates to a big catastrophe
“It has created an environmental and human disaster downstream in Budalangi where two wards have been submerged,” he said, adding that schools and farms in the areas are currently under water.
Dr Otuoma noted that the bridge has been blocked over the years adding that there is no station to control the waters at the Ox bow lake.
“I want to thank Lake Agro (an investor near the Yala swamp) for availing their trucks to control the speed of the flow of water so that we can save livelihoods downstream in Budalangi,” he said.
Busia Acting County Commissioner, Kipchumba Ruto said his team will appeal to the NYS and the military through the Regional Commissioner to bring engineers to the ground to remedy the situation.
Ruto reiterated that settlements and crops in Bunyala Sub County have been affected and the water levels in the lake was receding.
“This is the most important ecosystem in our Republic so we appeal to those persons who can assist us to solve the problem,” he said, adding that they are also going to approach the National government which is better equipped to address the problem.
Ibrahim Onyango, an honorary western conservator in charge of Busia and Siaya counties said that there is need for a permanent solution to the problem affecting Lake Kanyaboli.
“This is because Lake Kanyaboli is the second largest ox bow lake in Africa but is likely to dry up because of water overflowing towards the swamp,” he said adding that the lake should have a permanent inlet and outlet to control the volume of water inside it.
Onyango noted that the broken dyke has affected not only human settlements but also plants and animals in both Busia and Siaya Counties.
Lake Kanyaboli is a lake in the Yala swamp in Western Kenya. It is important as a refuge for fish species that have almost disappeared from Lake Victoria.
According to the residents, the impact of the fast receding water levels is being felt, with the fish stock dwindling and silt deposits dominating the beaches.
The residents further lament that they are faced with acute shortage of food as their farms are flooded due to the broken dyke that connects South West Alego location to South East Alego.
A retired chief, Odanga Richard Onjula said that the dyke broke after the outlet that drains excess water out of Lake Kanyaboli was blocked, forcing the water to look for alternative route.
“It has been long since the outlet was blocked and I think pressure forced it to break the dyke,” said Onjula adding that they had raised the issue with the Siaya county government in the past but no action was taken.
Onjula said that economic activities around the swamp had ground to a halt as the farms have been washed away, adding that farmers in Kadenge, Usonga, Yimbo and even Bunyala will have their crops flooded if no quick action will be taken.
He said that even cattle could no longer access water drinking points as they get stuck in mud.
Kevin Ochieng Jaoko, a fisherman from Kaugagi Nina village lamented that all the fish have followed the new channel and they are no longer fish to sustain themselves.
“Fishing is my source of livelihood and something must be done to rectify the situation,” said Ochieng.
His sentiments were echoed by a fish monger, Edith Akinyi who said that her business had stalled as she depends on the fishermen from the lake for stock.
A widow, Consolata Anyango Oloo lamented that all her vegetables had been washed away after her farm became water logged as a result of the dyke breaking.
Oloo said that with no source of livelihood, she will be forced to starve together with her orphaned grandchildren that she takes care of.
The receding water levels have also come with a challenge of increased malaria, with the residents lamenting that mosquitoes had found better breeding grounds in the reeds.
“The government should think of supplying us with mosquito nets as we are at the mercy of the mosquitoes,” said Florence Mariam.
Her sentiments were echoed by Stephen Baraka who said that apart from the mosquitoes, they are now forced to struggle to get water for domestic use as they have to wade through mud and other obstacles.
Lake Kanyaboli was formed on the course of River Yala and forms part of an ecosystem that comprises the Yala Swamp.