MCAs: 60 families displaced by floods

More than 60 families have been displaced in Kwanza, Trans Nzoia County following heavy rains that have pounded the area for the last week.

Several roads have also been rendered impassable following the torrent.

Heavy rains pounding in the area have forced families in Timbalel and Namanjalala areas to flee their homes fearing for their lives as the intensity of the rains increase.

A resident, Humphrey Wanyonyi said River Sabwani has burst its banks, causing floods that have displaced several villagers.

Several pupils, he said are unable to access school due to a flooded Kapswetwet bridge.

"Most of the displaced families have sought refuge in safe areas like Namanjalala market while others have fled to  Kwanza trading centre,’’ said Wanyonyi.

The resident said learning at Timbalela and Kapswetwet primary and secondary respectively have been paralyzed by the continued rains.

Most of the residents had returned to their homes after last year’s floods caused havoc in the area and displaced them in the month of September and October.

"Some of the affected families only returned to their homes last December and were planning to rebuild their lives when they were again forced out by floods,’’ said area Member of the county assembly Ben Wanjala Mulipuko.

Mulipuko said the government is yet to construct dykes in the area to control the floods.

"We are asking the national government to move with speed and erect dykes it pledged to mitigate flood and stop this continued displacement of my electorates,’’ he said.

Last year, Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Eugene Wamalw, while touring the area to assess floods situation announced that the government had set aside sh20 million to construct dykes to control the flooding.

Some roads in Saboti, Kwanza and Endebess sub-counties have become impassible with residents getting difficulties to transport their produce to markets, Mlipuko said.

The situation has forced some Public Vehicles Service (PSV) operators to hike fare between Sh 30 and 50 per cent due to the cost of maintaining their machines.