By Talarus Chesang
As physical learning resumes in the country, fate of over 5,000 learners from 18 schools in Baringo is bleak as Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and Lake 94 surges.
Confirming the incident, Ng’ambo Chief said thousands of families including school children have been displaced.
“Apart from the danger posed by the rising water, deadly animals like crocodiles and hippos dominate facilities like schools, dispensaries and churches” said Lenasheku.
He said water keeps increasing at rate of about 10 to 15metres daily hence if the matter is not be addressed, majority of the learners are likely to miss their studies.
Speaking to a reporter, Loruk Primary School head teacher Mr. Luka Kandie said that water has covered the entire school compound to the walls of classrooms.
“We stareat deadly crocodiles and hippos,” said Mr Kandie.
Among the affected schools are Loruk, Sokotei, Ng’ambo, Kiserian, Salabani and Lake Baringo Primary and Secondary schools.
Others are Ng’enyin, Noosukro, Rugus, Lorok, Leswa and Sintaan Primary Schools.
Last week Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis termed the expansion of the lakes a rare phenomenon that has never occurred since time immemorial.
The flooding is linked to the heavy rainfall that was experienced in county since April.
Kiptis, however, appealed to partners, both national and international to donate at least sh1.2 billion to aide relocation of the victims and also help recovery of the learning and health facilities.
Crocodiles have also been reported to be terrorizing the residents.
“The resurgent water is now putting resident’s lives at risk as they follow the lake shores closer to people’s homes and facilities,” Loruk resident Harun Cheburet said.
Cheburet, however, asks the government to urgently intervene by allocating funds to assist relocation and reconstruction of the submerged schools structures.
He noted that already most of the learning institutions have completely submerged while others are on the verge.
Last month, Rift Valley Regional Education Director John Ololtuaa said
already his officers are collecting data of the affected schools.
“As a ministry we shall do everything possible even if it means
relocating learners to ensure no single learner misses out of
school,” Ololtuaa said.
The crisis has led to displacement of over 30,000 people in the area.
The swollen lakes border Baringo North, Tiaty and Baringo South
sub-counties. Victims are now spending in the cold and are therefore
appealing for humanitarian help.
They are in dire need for urgent donation of food and other items
like tents, clothing, drugs, utensils and mosquito nets.
Furthermore, residents are counting millions of losses after a number
of attractive tourists’ hotels, dispensaries and churches drowned. Roads have also been rendered impassable.
Ilchamus ward MCA Joseph Ole Parsalach said the water also covered
thousands of farmlands destroying crop in the local irrigation schemes like Perkerra, Sintaan, Ng’ambo, Mosuro, Sandai and Kiserian.
Over a week ago, Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa visited the lake and attributed the rising water levels to climate changes.
Wamalwa, however, urged families whose houses submerged to consider moving faster to the safer grounds to avoid loss of lives.
He said the government has set aside funds to rehabilitate the
affected schools ahead of reopening. “As government, we are always well
prepared to tackle emergencies as they occur,” the CS said.
