Over 14,000 displaced in Kisumu as Nyong'o moves to support flood victims

• One person has been reported dead after drowning in Muhoroni subcounty due to floods caused by backflow from Lake Victoria.

• Some 638 families are in evacuation camps, while 2,178 others have been integrated with their relatives and well-wishers.

More than 14,000 people have been displaced by floods in Kisumu county.

Most of those affected are in Nyando, Kadibo, Kisumu Central, Nyakach and Kisumu East subcounties.

One person has been reported dead after drowning in Muhoroni subcounty due to floods caused by backflow from Lake Victoria.

Some 638 families are in evacuation camps, while 2,178 others have been integrated with their relatives and well-wishers.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said 14,060 people are displaced and appealed for urgent concerted efforts in mitigating the effects of the flooding in the county.

Besides displacement of families, Nyong’o said the floods have caused massive destruction, with 1,756 acres of farmland and crops in low-lying areas destroyed.

The trail of destruction has left farmers counting losses of Sh87.8 million. Some 2,000 livestock have also been affected by the floods, following the destruction of pasture.

“We are staring at the wrecked infrastructure and ruined agricultural sector that will lead to serious food insecurity,” Nyong’o said during floods update in the county.

The floods, Nyong’o said, have not only affected crops but also the education sector. Twenty-two early childhood development education infrastructure have been damaged and pupils may not reopen for second term.

They are spread across Kadibo (seven), Nyando (three), Kisumu West (two), Kisumu East (five), Kisumu Central (one), Nyakach (one) and Seme (three) subcounties.

“We have a number of roads and health facilities in Nyando and Kadibo subcounties that have been destroyed,” he said.

The floods have made these facilities inaccessible to both the staff and patients.

“We are doing all we can through the assistance of the national government and development partners to find a solution,” Nyong’o said.

The floods have also disrupted water supply, especially at the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (Kiwasco)’s water main water treatment plant, inconveniencing many residents.

Nyong’o directed Kiwasco management to swiftly find solutions to water supply disruption.

The county government has established an emergency response drive to support flood victims. Nyong’o said they have distributed Sh4.8 million food and non-food items to the victims.

“With the rising numbers across the county, we need more support for the affected families,” he added.

Currently, the county government has set up a donation centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Centre to receive donations from well-wishers for further distribution to those affected.

“We are appealing to well-wishers to help in supporting these displaced families. Anyone with food and non-food items should reach out to the county executive for public service, county administration and participatory development Judith Oluoch,” Nyong’o said.

The financial donations, he said, should be channelled through the Kisumu County Emergency Response account, SBM Bank, Kisumu branch-account number 0152415478001 or paybill 552800-account number 0152415478001.

Nyong’o urged the government to expedite the construction of the Sh19.9 billion Koru-Soin dam as a long-term solution to flooding in the affected areas.

The multipurpose dam project, which cuts across Kisumu and Kericho counties, stalled over inadequate funding.

“We believe that the lasting solution to the flooding menace lies with the construction of the Koru-Soin multi-purpose dam, which has been pending for decades. The government should fulfil its promise of constructing this dam,” he said.

The governor also urged the national government to reconstruct sections of the damaged dyke on River Nyando.

He advised people living on the low-lands and flood-prone areas to move to higher and safer grounds to avert any deaths.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).