Floods are among the natural disasters that
often impact society. Floods tend to be more short lived but more disastrous.
Between 2012 and 2014, Lake Baringo experienced unprecedented increases in
their water levels, resulting in calamitous flooding that has inundated entire
villages. A study was conducted to establish among others the impacts of this
flooding on livestock, health and livelihoods. This paper discusses the effects
of extreme flooding of Lake Baringo on livelihoods of communities living around
the lake. The data was collected qualitatively from key informants. The data
was analysed thematically and presented qualitatively. The paper argues that
extreme flooding had adverse effects on livelihoods as farmlands and grazing
pasture land were inundated. Families and households were displaced further
breaking not just their pursuit of livelihoods but also social networks.
Businesses, including tourist and fisheries as well as value chains were
impaired thus leading to challenges in sustaining lives and livelihoods. While
adaptation is an important way forward, early warning mechanisms would need to
be put in place to ensure safeguards to livelihoods.
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