Fate of Floods Affected Families in Siaya who are Camping in Schools Unknown Following Resumption of Schools

Residents in Kisumu County are narrating a different story since the heavy rains have caused distress and panic, after river Nyando in that region broke its banks and started to overflow causing floods that has since displaced many of them from their homes forcing them to look for alternative settlement.

Ombaka Primary School in Ahero is home to many since it has been a shelter to those who have been displaced,  it is one of the evacuation camps located in Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County. 

About 200 families have been camping in the school for the last two weeks and now they are now at the risk of being displaced from there too after schools resumes today.

These families are now forced to look for alternative settlement. The victims say that they are devastated since they have no where to go and their homes are still flooded  

“Mimi hata sujui tutafanyaje vile tutafanya na watoto kwanza mimi niko na mtoto wa Grade 3 na mwingine ni wa Grade 7 na wataanza shule kesho sasa sijui nitaenda wapi na watoto na ata kama wataingia shule,” says Molly Odhiambo, a resident of Ombaka

Some of the destruction as a result of the floods include collapse of houses and damage to roads and crops. Water has also covered grass and other vegetation, denying livestock pasture. 

“We’re undergoing a lot of challenges from lack of food and exposure to diseases, we are also congested but we have no other option.” she added.

The residents are calling on the government to their aid. They have also asked the government to develop irrigation schemes and construct dykes to minimize the impacts of floods.

UNICEF and other partners have distributed mosquito nets, blankets, handwashing soap, water jerrycans and aqua tablets to families in the camps.

 Addressing the press in Kisumu after flagging off food ad non food stuffs, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o says measures have been rolled out to deal with the floods that has left a trail of disaster.

“My government has started opening waterways, desilting of rivers, because we know rains are still here with us,” he said.

A similar situation is being experienced in other parts of western Kenya like Siaya and Homabay county and the affected families are pleading with the government and well wishers to aid with food, tents and alternative place to settle in.