Families displaced as rivers burst banks

By Rushdie Oudia

KISUMU; KENYA: More than a hundred families have been forced to flee their homes in parts of Kisumu County after River Nyando and Sondu Miriu burst their banks.

Most of the families that were at home on Saturday managed to save some of their properties when floods from the two rivers spread into their homes at 3pm.

Families at Ombeyi area in Kisumu East were also forced to move after the situation became unbearable following heavy rains pounding Kericho, Bureti and Kisii.

Areas around Lower Nyakach and Ayweyo in Nyando were flooded with water reaching worrying heights.

The heavy down pour that has been pounding the areas for one week increased its intensity as water levels in the rivers rose. Residents could be seen carrying their property going to higher grounds for safety.

 “At least it has happened during the day. If this could have been at night, it could have been a disaster,” said Juma Nyapol as he waded through the water carrying some of his household goods to a safer ground.

Most residents of Magina area in Kisumu East are also a disappointed lot as their crops were not spared either. They were destroyed by the floods caused by the heavy rains set to go on until mid January.

The Kenya Meteorological Department predicted the rains will continue to the New Year as they cautioned those living near rivers to move to higher grounds.

Kenya Red Cross Society has assessed the situation by recording families affected in Nyando and Nyakach Districts.

The society’s Western Region Assistant Secretary, Emmanuel Owako said that after the assessment, the affected families will be given non-food items such as blankets, mosquito nets and parpoline (Tents). This would enable them stay in safer places as they wait for the rains to end.

Owako said that they will be given kitchen sets for those who have lost their utensils during the flood.