Residents of Bunyala in Budalang'i have been urged to agree to the construction of Sh5 billion dykes to help end perennial flooding.
The project will also increase land under rice production from 2,000 acres to more than 10,000 acres, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa said.
"Landowners who are due for relocation to pave way for the project to kick off are yet to accept compensation," Eugene said.
Eugene addressed the press after visiting Bubango, Bumadeya and Port Mixed primary schools where flood victims are camping
The dykes are to be built in the Lower Nzoia region. Eugene said check dams will be built along River Nzoia to help trap water in Bungoma, Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties.
Budalang'i suffers from perennial flooding during rainy seasons. At least 40,000 people have been displaced so far this year as water from rivers Nzoia and Yala surges.
Initially it was Lake Victoria that caused flooding through backflow then the two rivers broke their banks.
Eugene said it is important to put up dykes on the Lake Basin counties to end more than five decades of flooding.
He was with Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi, Budalang'i MP Raphael Wanjala and MCAs.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya