In geography or even perhaps social studies, we were introduced to various types of lakes in Kenya, which are pretty numerous, from fresh to saline water bodies. But that’s not all the types of lakes we will get in touch with later in the article. In the meantime, have you ever wondered how many lakes are in Kenya in number form?
Well, truth be told, there are quite a number of lakes in Kenya. According to the latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), done in 2023, the country has 15 formally recognized lakes. At the same time, the country’s conversation bodies, such as UNESCO, Ramsar, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), classify 20 water bodies as lakes.
The difference in numbers is because KNBS focuses on classifying lakes based on their longevity and minimal size of equal to or greater than three square kilometers. In contrast, the conversation bodies focus more on ecological criteria, including five seasonal systems and human-modified reservoirs. Therefore, in this Guide, we have listed all the top 20 lakes in Kenya based on the classifications from the Bureau and Conservation bodies.
What are the types of lakes in Kenya?
When we talk about Types of lakes in Kenya, Fresh and Salty water bodies are the two types mostly known, but there are still quite others, including those listed below:
- Freshwater Lakes: They are lakes mainly fed by rivers, rainfall, and groundwater formed from tectonic depressions or volcanic craters. They have neutral pH levels and serve as critical water sources for agriculture, fishing, and domestic use. Freshwater lakes in Kenya include Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Lake Ellis in Mount Kenya, and Lake Mukunganya in Lamu County.
- Alkaline (Soda) Lakes: Unlike freshwater lakes, alkaline lakes, characterized by high pH levels up to 10.5 and salinity, form in closed basins where evaporation concentrates minerals like sodium carbonate. These lakes host specialized extremophiles, such as cyanobacteria and algae, which sustain massive flocks of lesser flamingos. Common lake types in this category are Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementaita, Lake Magadi, and Lake Turkana, which is partially alkaline.
- Crater Lakes: These are another common lake type in Kenya. They are formed in volcanic calderas or maars, often with steep, circular shorelines. Some of the known crater lakes in Kenya are Lake Chala, Lake Simbi Nyaima, and Lake Paradise in Marsabit.
- Desert Lakes: As the name suggests, they are found in arid regions and are typically shallow, ephemeral, and hypersaline. They form in endorheic basins where evaporation exceeds inflow, leaving behind salt pans or seasonal water bodies. Dessert lakes in Kenya include Lake Turkana, Lake Logipi, and Lake Kamnarok.
- Tectonic Lakes: Lastly, we have the tectonic lakes, which are mainly formed in the rift valley escarpments due to crustal subsidence. Most lakes in Kenya fall under this category, and they vary from freshwater to alkaline based on hydrological connectivity.
Top 20 Official Lakes in Kenya
As we had hinted on the opening paragraph of the article based on data from both KNBS and various conversation bodies, below is a table of 20 formally recognized lakes in Kenya based on their sizes as of the writing:
| Rank | Lake | Type | Size (km²) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Turkana | Saline | 6,405 | World’s largest permanent desert lake, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| 2 | Lake Victoria | Freshwater | 3,855 | Africa’s largest tropical lake. It is found in Kenya shared with Tanzania and Uganda |
| 3 | Lake Baringo | Freshwater (Alkaline) | 155 | Has over 470 bird species and no visible outlet |
| 4 | Lake Naivasha | Freshwater | 149 | High number of hippo population |
| 5 | Lake Magadi | Saline | 110 | High trona deposits; fed by 86°C hot springs; seasonal flamingo habitat |
| 6 | Lake Bogoria | Soda | 40 | Africa’s largest tropical lake. It is found in Kenya shared with Tanzania, and Uganda |
| 7 | Lake Nakuru | Soda | 32 | It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; famed for flamingo “pink tides” |
| 8 | Lake Jipe | Freshwater | 25 | It shares its boundaries with Kenya and Tanzania, featuring papyrus-fringed along its shores. |
| 9 | Lake Logipi | Saline | 24 | It is sustained by the Suguta River and hot springs, and thus it is extremely drought resilient. |
| 10 | Lake Elmenteita | Soda | 21 | It is a UNESCO site known mainly for a key lesser flamingo breeding ground due to its pH 9–12 levels |
| 11 | Lake Kanyaboli | Freshwater | 9 | It is a UNESCO site with 2 million fewer flamingos, geysers, and hot springs. |
| 12 | Lake Chala | Crater (Freshwater) | 5 | It is shared with Tanzania |
| 13 | Lake Ol’Bolossat | Freshwater | 3 | It is a Highland lake in Nyandarua and it’s a seasonal home to pelicans and grebes |
| 14 | Lake Kabongo | Seasonal | 3 | It is an Ephemeral lake in Kajiado and supports Maasai pastoralism during the rains |
| 15 | Lake Loongojit | Saline | 3 | It’s a Rift Valley saline pan with a minimal aquatic vegetation. |
| 16 | Lake Solai | Freshwater | 2.5 | It is a Man-made reservoir, an irrigation hub for the Solai farms |
| 17 | Lake Kamnarok | Freshwater | 2 | Kerio Valley lake; former crocodile sanctuary; severely silted |
| 18 | Lake Simbi | Soda | 1.8 | It’s a Sacred crater lake and a cultural site for the Luo community |
| 19 | Lake Sare | Freshwater | 1.5 | It is a satellite lake in Victoria and a vital refuge for endangered cichlids. |
| 20 | Lake Kenyatta | Freshwater | 3 | It is located in Lamu county and it’s also known as Lake Mukunganya |
Questions And Answers
What are the lakes in Kenya and their sizes?
- Lake Turkana – 6,405
- Lake Victoria – 3,855
- Lake Baringo – 155
- Lake Naivasha – 149
- Lake Magadi – 110
- Lake Bogoria – 40
- Lake Nakuru – 32
- Lake Jipe – 25
- Lake Logipi – 24
- Lake Elmenteita – 21
- Lake Kanyaboli – 9
- Lake Chala – 5
- Lake Ol’Bolossat – 3
- Lake Kabongo – 3
- Lake Loongojit – 3
- Lake Solai – 2.5
- Lake Kamnarok – 2
- Lake Simbi – 1.8
- Lake Sare – 1.5
- Lake Kenyatta – 3
How many 64 lakes are there in Kenya?
While the official number of lakes in Kenya has yet to be fully published, there are about 64 lakes in Kenya, comprising various types, from fresh to saline water bodies. However, as mentioned in the article, only 20 are highlighted as officially recognized based on their size and prominence by the KNBS and various covert activities in the country.
Which lake is the largest in Kenya?
Lake Turkana is the largest lake in Kenya, covering an area of approximately 6,405 square kilometers.
What are the seven lakes in Kenya?
There are so many lakes in Kenya. The number is at 64, with only 20 officially recognized as lakes. Out of the 20, only seven lakes stand out due to their ecological, cultural, and tourist importance in the country. They are as follows:
- Lake Turkana – Renowned as the largest permanent desert lake in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Lake Victoria – It is Africa’s largest tropical lake, and it is shared with Tanzania and Uganda.
- Lake Naivasha – It is a freshwater lake noted for its abundant wildlife
- Lake Nakuru – It is best known for its vast flocks of flamingos and diverse birdlife.
- Lake Bogoria – It is known for its geysers, hot springs, and seasonal flamingo displays.
- Lake Baringo – It supports a wide range of bird species
- Lake Elementaita – It is known for its significant populations of lesser flamingos.
