The Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ababu Namwamba has appealed to Kenyans and other global partners to offer support to flood victims in Bunyala Sub County.
Speaking during a visit to the victims at Masinde Muliro University Bunyala Campus on Monday, Namwamba said over 40, 000 people have been displaced in in the Sub County.
He said there was need for local leaders to invest in the development of the community whenever given an opportunity adding that the completion of Sigiri Bridge had to some extent helped reduce the extent of floods.
“Had it not been for the Sigiri Bridge, quite a number of deaths could have been encountered,” he said, adding that they also had plans to establish a centre for disaster response to cater for flood victims.
The CAS advised well-wishers to embrace targeted assistance to avoid duplication of resources.
At the same time, he urged the County Commissioner and County Security team to ensure that property submerged by floods were protected from looters.
“This tragedy has not suspended the rule of law; we still have to carry out development,” he said, urging the security team to deal ruthlessly with all law breakers.
Namwamba further said that there was need for leaders to think of reconstruction for those who have lost their houses and other property to floods.
“We have to think of how our people will be assisted to restore their normal lives,” he said, adding that the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project that has been delayed for three years must be completed.
He noted that most of the areas affected by floods were along the dykes established by Synohydro construction company and blamed the contractor for shoddy work.
“We also have to strengthen our disaster preparedness,” he said noting that people suffered because they did not have enough boats to transport their goods to safer grounds.
He thanked both the national and some foreign governments namely China, South Korea and Pakistan for their support to the flood victims.
“Recently, we received foodstuffs from South Korea, rice from China and right now, there is a ship transporting rice from Pakistan,” he said, adding that most donations were from foreign countries and friends from within the country.
During the function, Namwamba brought his contribution of 3, 500kgs of sugar in addition to food and non-food items from his friends.
The donation included 240kgs of maize flour, face masks, hand gloves, mosquito nets, hand sanitizers and lifesaving jackets.
The Busia County Commissioner, Joseph Kanyiri reminded the flood victims to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines, assuring them of government security.
By Salome Alwanda
