Lake Kanyaboli on the verge of drying

Africa’s second-largest Ox-Bow lake, Lake Kanyaboli is on the verge of drying up following the collapse of a dyke that separates it from the vast Yala swamp in Siaya County.

Following the collapse, water from the lake has been draining into the swamp while flowing to Lake Victoria. Local residents are now calling on the government to restore the dyke.

They say the impact of the fast-receding water levels is being felt, with the fish stock dwindling and silt deposits dominating the beaches. The residents are also facing an acute shortage of food as their farms have been flooded.

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 an 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 getting any to sustain themselves.

“Fishing is my source of livelihood and something must be done to rectify the situation,” said Ochieng.

His sentiments were supported by a fishmonger, Edith Akinyi who said that her business had stalled as she depends on the fishermen from the lake for stock.

A widow, Conslata Anyango Oloo lamented that all her vegetables had been washed away after her shamba became waterlogged as a result of the dyke breaking.

Mrs Oloo said that with no source of livelihood, she will be forced to starve together with her orphaned grandchildren that she takes care of.

Lake Kanyaboli drying has also 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.