Revisiting the Rising Rift Valley Lakes: A Glimpse into Kihoto's Struggles

The document examines the devastating impact of the 2020 floods in Naivasha, Kenya, specifically within the Kihoto informal settlement. It details how rising lake levels, attributed to climate change, displaced over 1,400 residents, destroyed livelihoods in agriculture and fishing, and coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic to exacerbate vulnerability. The study highlights the specific struggles of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, while documenting the community's calls for permanent resettlement schemes, infrastructural improvements, and inclusive social support.

• Between 2010 and 2020, mean annual rainfall increased by 30%, contributing to an inexplicable rise in Lake Naivasha's water levels since 2018 and resulting in catastrophic floods in 2020.
• The 2020 floods displaced over 1,400 residents in the Kihoto and Kamere Beach areas, destroying flower farms and crop fields and making fishing impossible.
• The disaster's impact was compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of workstations like flower farms and increased the vulnerability of the population to theft and asset vandalism.
• The floods triggered a cholera outbreak and led to significant psychological trauma, financial hardship, and an increase in gender-based violence linked to job losses and reduced income.
• Persons with disabilities faced unique challenges, including difficulty evacuating due to mobility issues and psychological distress from the loss of land assets.
• Community members have petitioned the Kenyan Parliament for 'urgent and permanent action', specifically requesting compensation and resettlement schemes for those affected.
• Residents propose specific infrastructural and policy improvements, including the construction of dikes, improved drainage and water systems, and streamlined processes for persons with disabilities to obtain special identity cards and tax exemptions.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2023). Revisiting the Rising Rift Valley Lakes: A Glimpse into Kihoto's Struggles. https://www.sei.org/features/revisiting-the-rising-rift-valley-lakes-a-glimpse-into-kihotos-struggles/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Revisiting the Rising Rift Valley Lakes: A Glimpse into Kihoto's Struggles. 2023. https://www.sei.org/features/revisiting-the-rising-rift-valley-lakes-a-glimpse-into-kihotos-struggles/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Revisiting the Rising Rift Valley Lakes: A Glimpse into Kihoto's Struggles |date=11 May 2023 |url=https://www.sei.org/features/revisiting-the-rising-rift-valley-lakes-a-glimpse-into-kihotos-struggles/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2023revisiting, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Revisiting the Rising Rift Valley Lakes: A Glimpse into Kihoto's Struggles}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/features/revisiting-the-rising-rift-valley-lakes-a-glimpse-into-kihotos-struggles/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }