Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o has appealed to the national government, non-state actors, and all people of goodwill to help in addressing the flooding experienced in the County.
Nyon’g says that the situation in Kisumu is dire and calls for immediate intervention through urgent provision of relief food, clean drinking water, masks and sanitizers, and medical supplies.
“Kisumu County and the nation at large is facing probably the most trying time of our independence history,” Nyong’o says in a statement to Newsrooms.
The compounded effects of the coronavirus and the floods in the region have left many people worried.
The raging floods have caused massive disruption to the lives of residents, together with extensive damage to property and infrastructure.
According to Governor Nyong’o, approximately 80 acres of maize, beans, and other crops have been destroyed in Muhoroni alone.
The ongoing heavy rains have caused rivers such as Nyando to break their banks causing massive flooding in areas that have not experienced flooding over many decades.
What makes it even worse is that it’s not known for how long the floods will continue sweeping across the region.
It’s estimated that over 6500 households have been displaced in the past 48 hours, which translates to about 32,000 people.
The most affected zones include the vast areas of Nyando, parts of Muhoroni, the lower parts of Nyakach, Nyalenda, Seme, and the areas along the lake shores.
“I would like to appreciate the support of the national government through the office of the County Commissioner and the Regional Commissioner for supporting the evacuations exercise.” says the Governor.
So far, no life has been lost as a result of the floods.