Environmental experts and stakeholders have raised alarm over President Uhuru Kenyatta's ambitious project in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The construction of the Ksh300 million waterfront in Lake Naivasha was launched in March 2019 and was set to be funded by the government on a swathe of land ceded by the County Government of Nakuru.
Reports from The Standard on Wednesday, January 1, indicate that the chairman of Lake Naivasha Water Resources Users Association (Lanarua) Enock Kiminta found the project to be a great idea but would be harmful to the lake if implemented.
He intimated that the reason for his views was the lake's levels have a tendency to fluctuate depending on the rains and that with due time, the waterfront would interfere with the Lake's ecosystem.
“An environmental impact assessment should be done before this project is carried out. Our fear is the project will negatively affect the lake,” he was quoted.
His views were echoed by Francis Muthui, the chairman of Friends of Lake Naivasha, who told the publication that the lake was currently under immense pressure as it is.
Muthui intimated that at the moment, waste from the Naivasha sewerage treatment plants and nearby informal estates were finding their way into the lake thereby rendering the situation dire.
“If all the projects are implemented, there will be lots of negative implications around the lake and this will lead to job losses in all sectors,” he stated.
Paul Ruoya, the chairman Lake Naivasha Landscape Association called for consultations and proper environmental research before capital projects are carried out to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of people dependent on the lake.
The waterfront was set to have hotels, recreational and entertainment facilities and was meant to serve as the public entry point into Lake Naivasha.
