What was once a thriving hub for education, tourism, and fishing now lies under water, as the lake’s rising levels continue to devastate lives and livelihoods. The swelling waters have brought with them hippos, crocodiles, and a renewed sense of danger for residents living along the shoreline.
At Loruk Primary School, the impact is both surreal and alarming. The school playground has turned into a swamp where crocodiles and hippos roam freely. The shoreline now sits barely 30 meters from classrooms, forcing children to wade through knee-deep water to attend lessons.
“Our children are really struggling, especially the little ones in nursery. If the water rises even slightly, crocodiles follow,” said resident Jeniffer Cherono.
The dangers are not theoretical. Over the holidays, a student was mauled by a crocodile while attempting a routine crossing. Some parents now escort their children to school, while many have simply chosen to keep them at home.
Further east, Nosukuro Primary School has been completely submerged, leaving pupils stranded with no alternative learning facility. Nearby villages can only be accessed by boat, cutting residents off from markets, medical services, and schools.
The rising waters have also disrupted transport routes. Sections of the Marigat–Chemolingot road are submerged, with matatus cautiously maneuvering through waterlogged stretches.
“When schools closed the situation was manageable. Now, the water levels have risen beyond control,” said teacher Paul Rotich.
This crisis is part of a long-running problem. Since 2012, Lake Baringo has steadily expanded, displacing entire communities and crippling infrastructure. Nineteen schools were submerged in the initial surge, forcing institutions such as Ng’ambo, Salabani, and Lake Baringo Secondary School to either close or relocate.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi acknowledged the growing threat, noting the increasing difficulty residents face in navigating the region.
The tourism sector has also taken a hit. Hotels and lodges that were slowly recovering from previous flooding are once again underwater, with ground-floor rooms completely submerged and staff facing uncertainty over the future of their livelihoods.
