By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 3 July 2026 - The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has launched a comprehensive assessment of the loss and damage caused by the rising water levels in Lakes Baringo and Bogoria, in a move aimed at informing climate adaptation measures and securing international support for affected communities.
The exercise, spearheaded by the State Department for Environment and Climate Change through the Climate Change Directorate, will evaluate the extent of destruction caused by the persistent flooding and provide evidence to guide future interventions.
The Climate Change Directorate serves as Kenya's National Focal Point to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage,an international financing mechanism that supports countries affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.
The assessment comes amid growing concern over the continued rise in the water levels of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria, which has displaced hundreds of families, submerged farmland, damaged roads and public infrastructure, and disrupted tourism and other economic activities in Baringo County.
The multi-agency exercise will examine the impact of flooding on homes, public facilities, livelihoods and biodiversity while identifying practical and sustainable measures to enhance resilience and recovery.
“The assessment seeks to identify the areas affected by the rising waters, determine the extent of the damage, and gather evidence that will guide future interventions and support climate resilience efforts,"the State Department for Environment and Climate Change said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the findings will help shape national and county government policies on climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, while strengthening Kenya's case for accessing resources from the international Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Officials said the exercise is also expected to improve disaster preparedness and reduce the vulnerability of communities living around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria to future climate-related disasters.
The assessment team is being led by the Deputy Director for Climate Change, Thomas Lerenten,alongside James Thonjo and technical experts from the Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS), working with local stakeholders and county officials.
The assessment forms part of the government's broader efforts to address the growing impacts of climate change, as extreme weather events continue to affect livelihoods, ecosystems and infrastructure across the country.
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