Friends of Lake OlBolossat Foundation (FLOBF)

Why It’s Important

Lake Ol Bolossat is a unique and critical ecosystem situated in the highlands of Nyandarua County, Kenya. It is the only lake in the Kenya highlands and serves as the source of the Ewaso Nyiro North River, which flows through five arid and semi-arid counties, supporting millions of people and diverse wildlife. The lake is internationally recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Kenya’s 61st Important Bird Area (IBA), hosting over 300 bird species, including endangered and endemic species. It is also an essential site for migratory birds, with over 20 species using it as a wintering ground. Additionally, the lake supports a variety of flora and fauna, including hundreds of hippopotamuses and mudfish, making it a hub for nature and wildlife tourism.

Challenges Facing Lake Ol Bolossat

Lake Ol Bolossat faces significant challenges that threaten its ecological sustainability. Environmental degradation is a primary concern, driven by deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable land use within the watershed. These activities have led to soil erosion, diminished water quality, and loss of biodiversity, impacting the lake’s overall health.

Climate change has further compounded these issues, causing unpredictable weather patterns, reduced agricultural productivity, and rising costs for energy and farm inputs. Small-scale farmers, who depend heavily on natural resources, are especially affected, struggling with the economic strain of these changes.

The pressure on the lake is also heightened by the growing population in the surrounding area, which exceeds 80,000 people. This has resulted in increased illegal forest extraction and a greater demand for agricultural land, exacerbating environmental degradation. Additionally, water levels in the lake have declined due to both human activities and climate change, disrupting the balance between fresh and saline water and affecting the aquatic ecosystem.

Economic pressures, intensified by climate change, have led to higher poverty rates, food insecurity, and rural-urban migration. These factors have driven illegal activities like logging and charcoal burning, as communities seek ways to cope with their diminishing livelihoods. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort from local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management and restoration of Lake Ol Bolossat.