Homa Bay
Friday April 12,2024
KNA by Davis Langat
More than 500 families in Homa Bay county have been displaced by floods.
Most of the affected families were inhabitants of Wang’chien location in Rachuonyo North Sub county.
Kobala Sub location Assistant Chief George Oburu said the affected villages include Konyango, Komenya, Kasirawa and Kawuor Agindo.
He noted that river Miriu burst its banks causing the floods in the area. Ms Margaret Olwero who is among those affected called on well-wishers to come to their aid.
“We do not have anything to eat. All the food crops were swept by the floods,” Ms Olwero said.
In the affected villages, homes with mud walls started weakening before being swept by floods. Ms Hellen Anyango said her house collapsed as she was asleep.
She appealed to well-wishers to come to her rescue saying her children have nowhere to sleep.
Oburu said there were also reports of people encountering hippos near their homes. A resident, Okeyo Okuku said his children recently saw two hippos grazing near his home.
“The children had to run for their lives before the animals retreated back to the lake,” he said.
Okuku called for a permanent solution to the perennial floods problem. He said there are signs that more homes will be affected as the rain continues.
County Beach Management Units Network Chairman Edward Oremo told families whose homes have already been marooned by floods to leave for higher grounds.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan told residents to put measures in place to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains.
The Kenya Meteorological department recently issued a warning that some parts of the country will witness flood.
Mr Lilan said it is important for families in flood prone areas to take precautionary measures. Flood prone areas include Kochia in Rangwe, Ndhiwa and Suba.
“We are telling families in the mentioned areas to make plans of moving to higher grounds,” Mr Lilan said.
Mr Oremo told fishermen not to go to the lake during storms. He said boats usually capsize when there is too much rainfall in the lake.
“Beach management units’ chairmen should ensure rescue boats are put in place in case of an emergency. But overall fishermen should also avoid going to fish during bad weather conditions,” Mr Oremo said.
Courtesy; KNA