Flood-displaced victims hit 40,000 mark in Kisumu as CS Owalo distributes relief food

More than 40,000 people have been displaced by floods in Kisumu County as the government intensifies the distribution of relief food to the affected families.

This comes amidst a rising number of households being affected in Nyando, Kadibo, Kisumu Central, Nyakach, Muhoroni and Kisumu East subcounties.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on Monday distributed food to more than 10,000 displaced families in Nyakach and Nyando subcounties.

He said the government has put in place a comprehensive disaster response programme which includes food and non-food items distribution and evacuation of families from flooded areas.

Other measures are redeployment of families from river banks to safer, higher grounds and massive tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate.

President William Ruto has assured that his government will construct Koru-Soin multipurpose dam as the long-term solution to the perennial floods in Kisumu, he said.

The CS said the government is currently working on a public-private partnership to fully implement the Sh19.9 billion project.

“As a government, we still have the Koru-Soin dam at the centre of the country’s development agenda,” Owalo added.

The initial plan for the government to fully fund the dam is untenable, adding that Ruto is committed to securing funds to complete the project.

“This is why the government is changing the funding model to ensure the dam is completed to permanently address the flood menace in the area,” he said.

The dam, which is located between Kericho and Kisumu counties, was expected to be completed in 2027.

However, the project stalled due to inadequate funding and delayed payments. The dam is expected to supply water in Kisumu and Kericho counties and end the perennial Kano basin floods.

Besides controlling flooding, the project will generate 2.5 megawatts at the Sondu Miriu Power Station, and boost irrigation farming in the county in line with the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The dam will supply 72,000 cubic metres of water per day in Kapsoit, Kaitui, Kipsitet, Katitu, Muhoroni, Awasi and Ahero towns.

The CS added that the government will build dykes along River Nyando as well as undertake desiltation as a short-term solution to the floods.

Owalo, who was speaking during food distribution at Ombaka Primary School in Nyando, urged those in the flood-prone areas to move to higher and safer grounds to avert any deaths.

“We should also take advantage of the rains to plant trees towards mitigation of effects of climate change,” he said.

Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said 40,000 persons have been affected by floods in the county.

In the Nyando subcounty, more victims have been affected after River Nyando broke its banks.

The majority of those displaced are in rescue centres of Kowuor Primary School, and Baptist church Magina camp. Some of the affected have been integrated with relatives and well-wishers.

Leparmorijo said 486 households are currently in rescue centres. There are 412 households at Kakola in Ombaka while 27 households are at the Education hall within the assistant county commissioner office compound.

At Kochogo camp, there are 27 households and seven households in Wawidhi. The commissioner said an estimated 4,100 acres of habited and farmed lands have been affected by floods.

“In Kochogo, 300 acres are affected with 2,000 acres and 1,800 acres in Kakola and Wawidhi respectively,” Leparmorijo said.

Nyando subcounty director of education William Kamukuna said over 14 schools have been submerged. The Ministry of Education is doing all it can to ensure the schools reopen, he said.