How rising waters are fueling deadly crocodile attacks in Turkana
Rift Valley
By
Lucas Ngasike
| Oct 27, 2025
For months now, the calm waters of Lake Turkana are no longer a haven. Instead, they carry fear and a lurking death beneath the surface.
For generations, these waters have been the heartbeat of the Turkana communities, a source of food, pride, and livelihood. But today, they have turned into hunting grounds for crocodiles displaced by rising lake levels, leaving behind tragedy, trauma, and deep uncertainty.
In Kalokol, 48-year-old fisherman Steven Esibitar gazes across the shimmering lake, worry etched on his weathered face. His voice trembles as he recalls losing a close friend to a crocodile attack just weeks ago.
“We have always lived with crocodiles, but never like this. They come too close now, right where we fish, where our children play, and they attack mercilessly. If these attacks continue, we will lose not only our people but also our way of life,” Esibitar says quietly.
Residents claim that more than ten fishermen have been mauled by crocodiles in recent months. The latest victim is fighting for his life at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH).
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The once vibrant fishing villages of Nariamet, Long’ech, Kang’atotha, Kerio, and Ng’imuriae are changing fast. Swollen waters have swallowed homes, schools, market stalls, even toilets, rendering families and school children homeless. Families displaced by the backflow now live in fear of both disease and attack.
With latrines submerged, cases of cholera and typhoid are beginning to emerge, threatening to compound an already dire situation.
The Turkana County Department of Health and Sanitation, supported by the Kenya Red Cross Society, has launched an assessment to collect data and design sustainable interventions.
During a recent stakeholder meeting in Kalokol, residents, local leaders, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) gathered to share their stories and seek solutions. The County Referral and Emergency Services Coordinator, Achiro Kephas, said the community needs both awareness and practical tools to stay safe.
“We are urging fishermen to avoid breeding zones, fish during safer hours, and stop using rafts. Simple precautions can save lives,” he said.
But for many families, safety comes at a painful cost. Fishing is their only means of survival, and staying away from the lake means going hungry.
“When we don’t fish, our children sleep hungry. We are trapped between hunger and danger,” says a widow and mother of four who sells fish in the local market.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has pledged to take action. Elijah Chege, a KWS officer in Turkana, explained that plans are underway to capture and relocate some of the crocodiles to safer waters.
“We are setting up noose traps and monitoring the situation closely. We also encourage residents to report incidents quickly so victims’ families can be compensated,” Chege said.
Beyond rescue, the government is now focusing on prevention. Etabo Ng’ipuo from the Kenya Maritime Authority revealed that plans are in motion to establish a search and rescue centre on the lake’s shores.
“We are working to provide two speedboats for surveillance and improve communication networks to ensure faster emergency response,” he noted.
But for now, fear still lingers. Children no longer play freely near the lake. Fishermen head out only when absolutely necessary, eyes fixed on the water’s surface for the faintest ripple of movement.
For the fishermen, survival is no longer just about fishing; it’s about learning to live with the lurking danger beneath the waters they once trusted.