Appeal for help as calm returns in Nyakach

By MITIRO DOMNICK

Kisumu; Calm is slowly returning in Nyakach, with residents going back to their homes after the recent skirmishes that left six people dead.

Many are, however, still in camps, some with nowhere to go as their houses were torched. Local leaders have been forced to step in and help the victims since donations given by the Red Cross, World Vision and the Special Programmes cannot sustain them.

North Nyakach county ward representative Maina Koko on Friday took food to victims of the clashes camping at Cherwa Seventh Day Adventist Church.

He asked the Government and NGOs to help the victims by constructing new houses for them so that they can return home to plant their crops as the long rains have set in.“I appeal to the authorities and the Kenyan community at large to quickly help our people resettle. The victims need food and assistance to build new homes,” Mr Kioko said.

He said the Special Programmes Ministry, the County Government of Kisumu and the CDF committee will set aside money to resettle the victims.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday on Friday, Mama Teresa Rayola, a victim, said she is worried the rain water will go to waste because they cannot work their farms. “We should move back to our homes quickly so we can prepare our lands for planting. It would be unforgivable if the rains were to find us in camps,” Mrs Rayola said.

Koko asked the government to retain the Anti-Stock Theft police officers who had been deployed in the area by building them a station.