The ongoing rainfall, pounding most parts of the country for the last three weeks, has destroyed homes, farms, and property and left many homeless and vulnerable to sickness. The most affected residents are those living near Rivers Sondu Miriu and Tende. Floods in Homa Bay In Homa Bay county, floods resulting from the rainfall have displaced residents of Kamenya, Kawuor-Agindo, Kasirawa, K’Onyango, Kamuga, Kosano, Nyaola and Kolonde villages. TUKO.co.ke established that villagers who lost most of their property are camping in a church and Simbi Dispensary. Margaret Aoko, who was recently widowed, was heartbroken that the floods had covered her husband’s fresh grave and the house she was living in, making it inhabitable. “I had to leave the house with my children. We have been camping at this mud-walled church which could also be destroyed by water if it continues to rain. All my belongings were submerged on Tuesday, April 9,” she narrated. The mother of nine told TUKO.co.ke that she was taking care of her eight grandchildren, whose parents had died. Homa Bay woman with 8 grandchildren displaced by floods “I have four of my late daughter’s children and four others from my late son who are all here with me. Together with my four children they are 12 They fully depend on me and the burden is unbearable. I appeal to well-wishers and the government to assist me to get a place to live,” she said. She has neither food nor bedding for her grandchildren at the makeshift shelter. George Oburu, Assistant Chief Kobala Sub-location, expressed fear that the swelling River Miriu could destroy more houses as it continued to overflow to neighbouring villages. The administrator called on residents near the river to move to higher ground to avert the risk of loss of life and property. Households displaced by floods in Homa Bay? At least 540 households in Wangchieng ward have been affected by the floods. In the Central Karachuonyo location, over 150 households have been affected and displaced as water from River Tende, an inlet to Lake Victoria, overflowed, submerged houses, and swept farms. The affected families are appealing for help to obtain food, clothing, bedding, and shelter. They say the cold has affected babies and the elderly. Musa Simba, a resident of Kamuga village, noted that they have been experiencing such calamities every year for four years now without proper mitigation or a permanent solution. “We ask the national and county governments to provide a permanent solution to this menace. We are tired of running to rescue camps every year,” Simba said. Floods resulting from ongoing rainfall have put many Kenyans, including those travelling, at risk. Earlier in the week, heavy floods swept away the Umma bus carrying passengers from North Eastern to Nairobi. Fortunately, all the passengers were rescued.
by Michael Ollinga Oruko