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{
    "id": 461471,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/461471/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 28,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Abdalla",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 382,
        "legal_name": "Amina Ali Abdalla",
        "slug": "amina-abdalla"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. The hon. Ms. Grace Jelagat Kipchoim, Member for Baringo South, pursuant to Standing Order No.44(2)(c) requested for a Statement from my Departmental Committee regarding the constant flooding in lakes, for example, Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru and Victoria. She stated that some of the dwellings including schools, dispensaries and homes were submerged around Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria. She wanted the Committee to inquire into and find out the position of the relevant Ministry on flooding and the action that has been taken to help the affected persons. In our interaction with the Ministry, they responded as follows: That the recent flooding of some of the lakes in the country and in particular the areas surrounding Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria have been as a result of sustained heavy rain during the months of March to August. It is the view of the Ministry that the catchment area around Lake Baringo has experienced increased rainfall during this period resulting into an increase in the water levels in this area. The Ministry informed us that the areas that were most affected by flooding are Rugus, Kiserian, Sokoti, Ngambo, Salabani, Misoya, Kambi Samaki, Lokoruk, Koitokwit and Kamolin which surround Lake Bogoria. The Ministry informed the Committee that the areas most affected have experienced partial submerging and this has resulted in the displacement of individuals. The Ministry also provided us with the numbers of those who have been affected. They have told us that the affected households total to 3,782, resulting in a population of 4,068. The reasons given by the Ministry for the flooding are:- (i) flash floods from the catchment area due to land degradation; (ii) increased rainfall since 2010; (iii) possible decreased evaporation rate due to moderately cool temperatures within the area; (iv) decreased depth as a result of siltation; and, (vi) increased human activity in the flood-prone areas. Hon. Speaker, it is the view of the Ministry that land degradation in the area has accelerated siltation, which has been considered as a major cause of the lake’s expansion. For instance, available records show that at the foot of Turgen Hills, the soil erosion rate is as high as 209 metric tonnes per hectare per year. In order to control and prevent floods, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has prioritised the following recommended activities:- (i) all the swampy areas surrounding the lakes be reclaimed and conserved to serve as siltation traps; (ii) alternative livelihoods be identified for residences bordering the lake and promotion of conservation within the sub-catchment area of Lake Baringo; The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}