Kalokol-October 14, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Following a recent reptilian cases along Lake Turkana, County Department of Health and Sanitation has conducted an assessment to collect data that will be vital in identifying areas of support and providing sustainable intervention to the vulnerable households affected by the menace.
The assessment supported by Red Cross Society of Kenya, brought together Kalokol community stakeholders from Kenya Wildlife Service, Representatives of Fishermen, Beach Management Unit, People Living with Disabilities, Youths, Women empowerment, area chief and local political leaders.
The team confirmed the crocodile menace, and it is mostly associated with the rising level of Lake Turkana, causing displacement of crocodiles closer into calm waters along fishing points and human habitats searching for breeding and hunting sites. This then prompted the human versus wildlife conflicts.
The backflow of Lake Turkana has also led to the submerging of schools, water points, market points, destroying latrines exposing residents along the lake to water, sanitation, and hygiene diseases such as cholera and Typhoid along Narimet, Long’ech, Kang’atotha, Kerio, and Ng’imuriae fishing points.
It was noted that the recent attacks have reduced fishing activities, which is a main source for livelihoods, putting the economic well-being of fishermen in jeopardy. These attacks have led to an increase in vulnerability among families due to long-term psychological trauma caused.
Speaking during the engagement, County Referral and Emergency Services Coordinator Achiro Kephas emphasised to the community members to conduct public community advocacy on the timing attacks, avoiding breeding points for crocodiles and to shun old-fashioned fishing methods such as use of rafts and fishing in shallow waters.
According to the Chairman of Kalokol Fishermen Josephat Mutei, the Crocs have been mostly emanating during sunset and in the early morning, and he affirmed most cases come from fishermen who utilise rafts for fishing.
“If these crocodile attacks persist, we will lose our fishermen, and at the same time, our sole activity for putting food on the table to our families will be at risk,” he said.
During the deliberations, some of the recommended interventions were increased surveillance from both KWS and county, provision of motorboats to vulnerable fishermen, enhanced public awareness, and timely compensation to the families of the victims.
KWS Turkana Office representative Elijah Chege also mentioned that plans are underway to utilise noose traps that will enable the capture of the reptiles and relocate them to safe, distant waters away from human settlement. He also emphasized on timely reporting of crocodile incidences to essential the documentation processes for compensation.
Etabo Ng’ipuo from State Department of Shipping Maritime Authority/Kenyan Maritime Authority outlined the national plans to establish a search and rescue centre to help the victims, offer two speedboats for surveillance and boost network coverage crucial for timely communication and reporting.
Present were county officials from the department of Livestock and Fisheries, Disaster Management, KWS, PLWD, Women empowerment group, Beach Management Unit and Youth leaders.
