Rising water levels in Lake Baringo disrupt school schedules and immerse facilities once more

In the picturesque landscape of Baringo, Kenya, a unique challenge is disrupting the daily lives of learners and their communities. The once familiar routine of school breaks is no longer the same, as learners are confined to safer sections by teachers to protect them from potential danger.

The danger, it seems, lies not just in the classroom, but outside its walls. Many learners face the threat of high water levels and wild animals like crocodiles and hippos while crossing to school. This has sparked concerns among residents, with Aaron Cheburet, a local resident, advocating urgently for a bridge to ensure learners can access schools safely.

The Baringo Fishermen Cooperative Chairman, Joshua Chepsergon, has also highlighted the issue, stating that fluctuating water levels in Lake Baringo have resulted in numerous losses. In 2020, when the lake level rose, health facilities, hotels, homes, and schools were submerged.

To mitigate these risks, schools like Loruk Primary are taking measures. The school now needs fencing to keep learners safe from wild animals. The encroachment of lake waters into the school compound has even turned playgrounds into grazing fields for hippos.

The situation has raised concerns about the security of schools, with Chepyator Johanna, the Loruk village elder, expressing his worries. He believes that the increasing presence of wild animals in schools is becoming a significant concern.

Given previous incidents of attacks in the area, parents believe learners in hardship areas should be provided lunch at school to protect them from having to cross the submerged roads multiple times a day. This demand for school meals has been echoed by Kennedy Komen, a member of the board at Loruk Primary school.

As communities struggle to adapt to the changing environments, some facilities have come up with innovative ways to keep businesses afloat. The Soi Safari Lodge, for instance, has constructed suspended bridges to access partly submerged areas, attracting a lot of attention from tourists.

However, the rising water levels have affected school operations, altering reporting times. Every morning, parents and teachers survey the submerged roads for safe passage before sending their children off to school.

Researchers at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute have also raised a warning that the water levels across all Rift Valley lakes have immensely increased, calling for a study. As the community navigates these challenges, they hope for a solution that ensures the safety and education of their children.

Rising water levels in Lake Baringo disrupt school schedules and immerse facilities once more