Hundreds flock L. Naivasha for Christmas boat rides

The overflowing shores of Lake Naivasha, thanks to rising water levels, could not deter thousands of Kenyans who turned up on Friday to celebrate Christmas by riding boats.

Not even the fears of contracting the coronavirus could stop them from having the best moments and enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.

The newly refurbished South Lake road was jammed with residents and visitors from across the country who made their way to the shores by walking, riding on bodabodas and driving state-of-the-art vehicles to enjoy their Christmas holiday.

The dusty and neglected one-kilometre earth road off South Lake Road, leading to Karagita public beach, was a big let-down as residents, bodaboda riders and motorists tried to avoid huge potholes.

However, this did not stop hundreds of jovial residents from marching through the dust that filled the air as both the vehicles and bodaboda riders fought for space.

The riders made a killing transporting residents to the lake’s shores.

No face masks

At the densely congested Karagita public beach, residents disregarded the Ministry of Health Covid-19 protocols on maintaining social distance and wearing face masks.

Interestingly, no hawkers were selling the face masks. Instead the beach boys and fish hawkers were busy selling the fast-moving fresh fish from the lake, which they sold to the holidaymakers at between Sh100 and Sh500.

Boat owners also had a field day as they charged Sh500 for seven people per ride lasting less than an hour.

The scramble for boat rides was evident as parents and their children struggled to enter the vessels.  

At the luxurious Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp, holidaymakers enjoyed the boat ride and fishing expedition after paying Sh2,000 for seven people per trip.

"We can't complain too much although we are not having as many visitors at the camp as we had last year. This coronavirus has hit us below the belt," said Mr Ismail Njoroge, a boat rider at the camp.

Watching hippos

However, it was not boat riding that formed the core of the merrymaking. Some of the holidaymakers opted to enjoy lunch with their families at the isolated island in the middle of Lake Naivasha as they watched hippos from a distance.

And as the parents had their favourite drinks as a cool breeze swept through their tents, the children were playing games in the field and riding on horseback, occasionally breaking to take snacks.

"I could not take my family to my rural western home due to harsh economic times and the little money I had I decided to bring them here at Karagita public beach to enjoy themselves and have a feel of the holiday mood," said Mr Norman Omanza.

Ms Nancy Kerubo, who works at one of the flower farms said, "God has protected me and my family from the deadly coronavirus and I have no reason not to celebrate Christmas. Many people had planned for this day but succumbed and I thank God that I and my three children are still alive and that is why I'm enjoying the merrymaking to the fullest, no matter how small the celebration is."

Ms Felista Njeri, a fish seller at Karagita public beach could not hide her joy as she sold her fresh catch from the lake a.

"These are tough times and I thank God the visitors, mostly from outside Naivasha town, have come to enjoy with their families. They have bought a lot of fish. This is good business for me. I was wondering where I would get money to pay for my son's school fees in January 2021. I just hope this kind of crowd will be maintained during this festive season," she said.

Mr Joshua Kareri, a commercial photographer from Mai Mahiu, had a hectic time due to demand from holidaymakers who wanted to capture the best moments at the shores of Lake Naivasha.

"This is the best moment for me. Since March when the pandemic broke out, I have been making less than Sh200 per day but today, thanks to Christmas, I have earned myself my two months' salary in advance," said Mr Kareri.

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