Festival to Save Lake Nakuru to be Launched

By Beatrice Obwocha and Winnie Chumo

An annual festival will be launched in a bid to save the dying Lake Nakuru.

The inaugural festival of what has been named Flamingo Festival will be held between December 9 and 16. This was revealed by Mr John Boot, the manager of Nakuru Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation programme said on Thursday.

The event, which is aimed at educating local residents on conservation, will include a 12km walk, road shows, exhibitions, tree planting and a gala night.

"We aim at involving local residents in the festival because they directly or indirectly have an impact on Lake Nakuru," said Boot.

Speaking at a press conference at a Nakuru hotel, Boot deplored some activities that have led to the drying up of the lake and flight of flamingos.

"Destruction of water catchments and pollution has affected the lake. We hope the festival will enable residents realise the impact of their activities on the lake," he said.

Mr Michael Kabosi, events planner at Virtue Africa Youth Awake, termed the drying of the lake a threat to Nakuru town residents and the Rift Valley Province.

"Residents benefit a lot through tourism and if the lake dies many businesses will be affected," he said.

Nakuru, which is famed for flamingos, has been losing the birds to other lakes due to a decrease of food and fresh water.