By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Over 400 people who have been affected by the ravaging floods in Kisumu County have a reason to smile. This is after the government with support from other partners supported the families with food and non-food items.
Government Spokesperson Isaack Mwaura in a statement on Tuesday said the donations were in collaboration with the county government of Kisumu and the Kenya Red Cross Society.
Most of those affected have been left homeless after River Nyando broke its banks.
“Issuing the Daily Floods Situation Update from Nduru Secondary School in Nyando Constituency, Kisumu County and also Leading the distribution of Non-Food Items to 441 Floods Affected Persons (FAPs), who have been affected by the overflow of River Nyando,” Mwaura said.
“The Government is collaborating with the County Government of Kisumu and the Kenya Red Cross in responding to the humanitarian emergency across the county,” he added.
Among the items that the flood victims in Kisumu benefited from include a kitchen set, blankets, a mini tent, a water purifier, bar soap, blankets, mosquito nets, a dignity pack, lesso, and a torch.
“The package is worth Ksh 6,500 each,” said the government spokesperson.
The flood situation is the country has been worsening by the day as the rains continue to be witnessed.
Latest data indicate that at least 238 people have died of flood while hundreds of others have been left homeless.
At least 174 persons have also been injured.
The Kenya Red Cross has been leading rescue and search efforts in various parts of the country.
Following the flood situation, the government suspended the opening of secondary and primary schools indefinitely.
The schools had initially been set for opening on April 29, 2024.
Many of the people displaced are being housed in various learning institutions across the country.
On Monday, President William Ruto said the government would support all the affected families financially.
“We have identified 40,000 families affected by the floods in Nairobi. We will give each family KSh10,000,” said President Ruto after visiting the Mathare area.
