12 lives have been lost, and thousands of families find themselves displaced as heavy rains pound Western and Nyanza regions. Migori emerges as the highly affected area, grappling with the aftermath of nine individuals drowning in separate incidents across Uriri and Nyatike constituencies over the past two weeks. The toll on the region is exacerbated by the submersion of several villages in Migori, Busia, Kisumu, Kisii, and Homa Bay counties.
In Busia, a fisherman lost his life when heavy rains and strong winds capsized his boat during a Wednesday night fishing expedition on Lake Victoria.
The specter of displacement looms large in Budalang’i, where over 250 families residing in a camp since 2020 may be compelled to search for alternative shelter as water levels surge in River Nzoia, River Malakisi, River Lusumu, and River Lwakhakha. Homa Bay is not spared from the deluge, with over 700 people affected by floods after the Yongo Dam in Suba sub-county breached its banks on Saturday. Yongo, Opuch, and Bonde villages now face an uncertain future.
Desperate residents are reaching out for assistance, urging the government, humanitarian organizations, and well-wishers to intervene and avert further disaster. Sospeter Obino, a resident, says: “The dam has broken its banks, and our homes are flooded. We appeal to well-wishers to intervene and save us from the situation.”
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Bagaka addressed families residing along major rivers, advising them to exercise extra caution to prevent disasters. “Let us not allow our children to roam freely during the rains,” he said.
Iin Kisumu’s Nyalenda B estate, Judith Otieno, a widow, expresses a deep concern as her house succumbs to floodwaters. In a distressing turn of events, she has been compelled to find refuge in a friend’s house.“Even though my children are a bit older now, I still face challenges in securing alternative accommodations with relatives and friends whenever it rains,” she said.
In the Western region, a somber tally of three fatalities is reported following the breach of several rivers.
Flash floods have submerged three wards in Bunyala sub-county, forcing thousands of households to seek refuge elsewhere. In Khwisero sub-county, River Yala’s overflow has ravaged numerous farms, displacing at least 50 households.
