The breathtaking Simbi Nyaima

When growing up I loved spending time with my great grandma, listening intently to her amazing and chilling evening stories. There was never a better feeling than the one I got when she mumbled "a long time ago....." That's when I would forget everything else I could have been doing and take an old gunia (gunny bag), gather up with my cousins and sit at her feet( how awesome those moments were) #smiling. The moments were characterized by utter silence and absolute attention. Memories of how we would get scared especially when she told stories of the ogres, the hyena and the wolves(laughing) still linger in my mind to date. 

Though most of her stories were fictional, there were some which felt and sounded real. One such story is the tale of Simbi Nyaima. Throughout my childhood years and the teenage age, The desire to visit this amazing place grew day by day and so when I was 20, I decided to take a leap and travel, just to behold the wonders this destination exudes. True to her words, the place is not only breathtaking but so real too. Fascinating enough, I could smell the lake while I was one kilometer away just like my grandmum had mentioned in her tales.

Oblique view of Lake Simbi on a sunny afternoon.

Located in Karachuonyo, near Kendu bay, sits Lake Simbi. The lake draws its name from a village that existed at the exact location long long time ago. In Dholuo, "Simbi Nyaima" means a village that sank. A story is told of an old lady who came to look for a shelter one cold evening in that village which was inhabited by cruel and arrogant people. Instead of offering her refuge, considering her age and the fact that it was cold and stormy, they chased her away. Little did they know that she was a rainmaker and so as soon as she left the village a bad storm came down and created a huge depression of which the rainwater filled hence submerging the whole village together with its inhabitants. This brought about Lake Simbi which stands till date.

Sunset at Simbi Nyaima.

Despite its mysterious origin, the lake is known for its therapeutic nature in that there are claims that it cures a variety of diseases and ailments (of which I didn't test but planning to try soon). Legio Maria sect members, for instance visit the lake for body and spiritual healing.