Lake Baringo, one of only two freshwater lakes of the Eastern Rift, lies in a shallow basin surrounded by hills where poor agricultural practices have led to bad soil erosion. In consequence, the lake's waters are red with suspended solids. The Il Chamus people live near the lake shores and on the islands. Related to the maa-speaking Samburu, they make a uniques raft from the light wood of the Ambatch tree (Aeschynomene sp) that grows in swampy ground around the lake.