Residents of Siala area within Kogembo Sub-Location in Rachuonyo North Sub-County are counting losses following a heavy downpour that flooded the area on Wednesday night.
The midnight rain that pounded the three villages of Siala area including Kosano, Kamuga and Nyaola brought despair to the residents whose livestock and houses were swept away by the floods.
The area Assistant Chief Owino Ezekiah said a total of 111 households with a population of 626 individuals were destroyed.
“Families have also lost their livestock including goats and around 158 chicken which were swept away last night,” he said.
The area residents who are majorly peasant farmers have also seen their farms being submerged in water and about 20 hectares of crops destroyed.
This is the second time that this community is stranded because of the floods. The residents faced the same tragedy several months back when they were forced to seek shelter in camps, and when everything was settled, they returned back home in the month of June to rebuild their homes.
“This is a problem that has been in this community for four years now. Last night’s flooding is the second time in one year that the locals are affected. We have raised complaints about this issue time and again through public gatherings but nothing has been done,” said the chief.
He implored the government to restore normalcy in the villages by finding ways of helping the community avert such disasters in future.
Jane Aoko, who lost her newly built house, said she woke up to find the house had been brought down and her belongings swept away by the floods.
“We are tired of moving from one house to another. This was my second house after the first one was destroyed this year by the floods. I have lost my livestock, foodstuff and other belongings which were swept away last night,” she said.
She said they are now left homeless and with no support whatsoever, and urged the government to help them by looking for a lasting solution to this problem in the region.
By Sitna Omar
