Kisumu County residents have appealed to the national government and leaders from the county government to unite and help open up clogged drainages so that river waters could drain into the lake to help assuage the dire flooding menace that has besieged most parts of the county.
Kochogo village Clan Elder Maurice Akoko pointed out that the River Nyando has burst its banks at various sections, yet their plea for help has fallen on deaf ears while the waters have marooned many of their homes.
He expressed fear that if no immediate intervention was instituted, then nearly every home in the village would not be accessible and many residents would lose their lives and property.
“Our plea is that the river should be redirected to its former path, which is not anybody’s farm, so that the waters could flow along its usual course; otherwise, over three villages will be marooned, and that is a critical matter that warrants even the attention and immediate intervention of the President. We appeal for the disaster fund to be immediately released to assuage this disaster, especially at Kadera and Wuodage beaches that should be dug using tractors to contain the waters from Nyando and prevent them from overflowing and marooning the surrounding villages,” appealed the elder.
Akoko claimed that the surrounding paths were only 9 metres wide due to the shoddy work of the engaged contractors, whom he alleged diverted some of the material that should have been used to lay the proper drainages and failed to lay the culverts as required.
He pleaded that the beaches at Wath Ageka and Adiereb be properly dug and opened so the waters could drain downstream.
By Milton Onyango
