When we boarded our boat for a tour of the bloated lake Baringo, our tour guide mentioned the name of the old man that used to own this “Tinga” shop that we docked from. Turns out it was my maternal grandfather. The shock on my mums as she remembers this being far from the lake.

Our beautiful lake Baringo is fed up and wants everything out of her way. This is Soi Safari Hotel that used to be a fair distance from the lake. The water is now at its gate and is making its way up the second floor of the building complex. – bei Baringo Lake

We found this small island on the lake that has wildlife. Mostly giraffes. One of the giraffes got stuck on the lower part of the island after it suddenly submerged two weeks ago. They are working wirh @kwskenya to bring the giraffe to safety. – bei lake baringo

This lodge (as of dec 2019) sat high up on a cliff and could be accessed by land. As of this week it is now a low-lying island surrounded by water that could submerge any time.

We met a lady at Kampi Ya Samaki. She told us that people in Loruk are fishing from their homes. We went to see and found that at Loruk, the road is cut off by the lake. Lake Baringo has reached here and alternative ways have to be found to cross over to Tiaty and E.Pokot. – bei Loruk Centre - East Pokot

The man crossing with his motorbike made it across but his motorbike had sucked in water and couldn’t start. He told us some interesting stories that I will share. First he told us that he buried his father a few years back in cow hide which is very honourable...however...

...the spot where he buried his father was submerged by Lake Baringo. He spoke of an old man from Loruk who died maybe 20 years ago (before the lake started swelling) and who said that he didn’t want to be buried in the “lake” and asked to be buried up in the hills. – bei Loruk Centre - East Pokot

The same man told us that the old man predicted that by 2024 the lake will be at Marigat. For people from that area, it seems completely impossible to imagine as it is about 20km away. Marigat is a bustling busy town that is growing. Will it drown? The jury is out. I hope not.

I call upon scientists to help us understand what is happening at Lake Baringo. There are so many theories but I think a scientific explanation is needed. Many people have lost their livelihoods and continue to do so everyday.

Kongoi.