By Okongo Oduya
One of the swamps in Munongo village has mysteriously turned into a lake.
Sio Siteko Swamp initially surrounded by papyrus vegetation is now filled with water. The new lake located in Matayos Sub-County in Busia County has become a centre of great interest.
Thousands of local people are now visiting the lake, and also being asked to part with Sh 50 before they are allowed to see it.
Local residents are now making money from ferrying people on boats and selling edible goodies to people visiting the lake.
Boda Bodas (Motorcyclists) are cashing in on a large number of people who want to be ferried to the site to witness themselves. Women and youths on the other side are reaping from selling sodas, tea, chapati and Mandazi while the youths have erected a small toll station to charge those who access the “Lake”.
Women and youths on the other side are reaping from selling sodas, tea, chapati and Mandazi while the youths have erected a small toll station to charge those who access the “Lake”.
26 year old Peter Ouma, a local entrepreneur has improvised a simple boat that he uses to ferry tourists who want to visit the new lake at a cost of 50 Ksh per ride .“Despite the fact that I don’t know the origin of this lake I am happy that I can now get my daily bread from here. I go home with not less than ksh 1,000 for taking people through the waters and back at a cost.” A happy Ouma said.
This phenomenon of the new lake, has caused a lot of attraction from locals and neighboring Uganda residents who come to see the recent wonder in Busia County.
The lake which is along Kenya – Uganda border used to have a small stream under River Sio Siteko.
“We woke up last week in the morning only to see a huge water body staring at us, we were shocked and now we fear this might turn catastrophic causing floods in this area.”Justo Khayoko, a local from Munongo village said.
The residents noted with concern sudden rise in water levels which has left them shocked terming it as a “rare” phenomenon. There’s need of environmentalists and hydrologists to intervene and do research to offer and answer of the mystery. “We need hydrologists to come and ascertain the dynamics of surface and underground water,” said Justo.
They are calling upon hydrologists to intervene and help by revealing the mystery behind the swelling of the swamp. “We need hydrologists to come and ascertain the dynamics of surface and underground water in this swamp, we suspect that could be the reason behind the formation of the lake, we also need them to advise on what we can do to avoid such in future” Mary Aoko a local farmer in the village said.
It is believed that this new lake might become another area of conflict between Kenya and Uganda bearing in mind that the lake is between the two nations.
Busia County Chief Officer Richard Adhiambo who visited the scene advised the owner of the farm near the waterway to take advantage of the County Agriculture Development Fund to venture into agriculture to sustain himself economically by using the water for irrigation.
