MPs open nationwide inquiry into rising Kenyan lakes and dam levels

When Rift Valley shorelines swallow classrooms and grazing land, Parliament’s environment committee wants a map of the whole country — not only two famous lakes. The Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining will undertake a nationwide inquiry into rising water levels of lakes and dams, Capital FM reported after members expanded a Baringo-focused statement request.

The National Assembly received a Statement Request on 17 June 2026 on the effects of rising levels of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria on communities and schools in Baringo South Constituency. Committee vice-chairperson Charles Kamuren said several lakes nationwide show significant rises that have hit settlements, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, wildlife habitats and ecosystems. “In considering the Statement, the Committee has resolved to expand the scope of the matter and undertake a comprehensive inquiry into the rising water levels of lakes in Kenya owing to the national significance of the issue and its environmental, economic and social implications,” he said.

Old studies, thin implementation, multi-county visits

Charity Kathambi-Chepkwony noted that studies — including those by the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Rising Water Levels of the Rift Valley Lakes — have already named possible causes and interventions, yet many recommendations remain unimplemented. MPs said the inquiry will examine causes and impacts, assess government interventions, and recommend legislative, policy, administrative and budgetary measures for preparedness, mitigation, adaptation and basin management. Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende stressed checking implementation status of previous reports; lawmaker Beatrice Kemei urged a hard look at whether existing laws, policies and institutions are adequate.

The committee outlined meetings with ministries and semi-autonomous government agencies plus field visits across counties including Baringo, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Kisumu, Turkana, Homa Bay, Migori and West Pokot, among others. Environment desk: Environment. Verified trigger date, named MPs and visit list from Capital FM; scientific causation findings will depend on evidence the inquiry itself collects, not on this announcement alone.

For lakeside schools and pastoral households, the useful outputs are budget lines, resettlement or shoreline rules, and which prior technical recommendations finally get funded — not another unheeded report on a parliamentary shelf.

Based on Capital FM reporting of the National Assembly Environment Committee announcement. Committee reports and ministry responses control final findings and recommendations.