By Peter Ochieng
As Kenyans join the rest of the world in marking Labour Day, Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o holds the opinion that there’s little for Kenyan workers to celebrate in the face of hard economic times.
Labour Day is internationally marked every 1st of May, where trade unionists and other leaders gather across the world to to celebrate workers.
Addressing the press on Wednesday morning, governor Nyong’o said Kenyans have nothing to celebrate, since hard economic times continue to cause redundancies in various sectors.
“In Kenya, we are marking the Labour Day amid a crisis at the workplace. Hard economic times have resulted in redundancies. Those still in employment are surviving by a thread because of ballooning taxes,” he said.
The governor saluted Kenyan workers for their efforts towards the country’s economic prosperity, but urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to re-look its taxation policies.
“As we salute our workers on this day, we appeal to the Kenya Kwanza government to re-look at their taxation policies and help reduce the cost of life. Indeed, there is very little to celebrate this Labour Day because of the miseries brought into our homes and workplaces by the flooding crisis across the country,” added the former Senator.
Nyong’o said in Kisumu, floods triggered by the backflow from Lake Victoria and water from swollen rivers have affected 14,060 people across the Lakeside county.
He noted that a total of 638 households in Nyakach, Nyando, Kadibo, Kisumu Central and Kisumu East are currently in evacuation camps, after their homesteads were marooned by floods.
“Another 2,178 households are integrated with their relatives and well-wishers. A total of 1,756 acres of farmland and crops in the low-lying areas have been destroyed in the 8 Subcounties, with an estimated cost of Sh67.81 million,” he added.
Additionally, the floods have disrupted water supply, especially at the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO’s) main water treatment plant, inconveniencing many residents.
The county boss said they have put foward a range of intervention measures, including the purchase and distribution of food and non-food items worth Sh4.8 million which has been distributed to displaced families in Nyakach, Nyando, Kadibo and Seme.
On Thursday, Nyong’o said, the county government of Kisumu will open a donation center at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports ground.
“We will station our officers there to receive the donations and forward them to our stores for onward distribution to the flood victims. The center will also have an information desk.”
Meanwhile, financial donations can be send through an emergency account number as follows: KISUMU COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACCOUNT, SBM BANK – KISUMU BRANCH, ACCOUNT NUMBER:. 0152415478001, Swift code: SBMKKENA, Branch Code-015 or PAYBILL NO: 552800, ACC. NUMBER 0152415478001.