By Peter Ochieng
Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has assured county residents presently affected by floods, that his administration is doing everything humanly possible to minimise effects, and tame the phenomenon once and for all, through through strategic long-term solutions.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Kisumu County Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Public Service ,County Administration and Participatory Development Judith Oluoch,Nyong’o said that presently in the short-term solutions, his government is desilting rivers and streams to help control the floods.
“It has been a terrible month for the residents of Nyakach, Muhoroni, Nyando, Kadibo, Kisumu Central,Kisumu East and Seme where raging floods have destroyed houses,bswallowed farmlands and made roads impassable,”he said.
As at Thursday, the county boss said the floods had affected 7,870 people across the Lakeside county.
“Out of the affected population 1,928 households have been displaced from their homes, members of 1 275 households have been integrated with neighbours and relatives and members of 653 households are camping at various evacuation centres,” he added.
The CECM flagged off food and non food items worth Sh4.8million purchased by Nyong’o’s government.
“I encourage the residents to be on the lookout and move to to higher grounds and into the camps to avoid more casualties,” appealed the governor.
According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, intense rainfall has affected various regions in Kenya, including the Coastal area, Central areas including Nairobi, the Western Highlands, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, South-eastern lowlands and North-eastern regions.
“Since the onset of the March-April-May (MAM) rains, multiple counties have felt its effects, resulting in households being affected, displacements, establishment of displacement camps, submerged arable land, impacted businesses and livestock deaths,” the Society says in a statement.
“The Kenya Red Cross Society has proactively prepared for these challenges by ensuring prompt emergency responses, conducting search and rescue missions, prepositioning shelter kits and distributing essential supplies.”
The Kenya Red Cross says over 20,258 households have now been affected with over 7,938 displaced.
So far, 35 IDP camps have been set up to host the displaced.
