Kisumu governor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o has appealed to state departments with helicopters including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Kenya Wildlife Services, and the Kenya Forest Service to intervene and help rescue flood victims in the county.
In his statement, the county head noted that the flood situation had worsened after River Nyando burst its banks causing extensive damage to homes, urban centres, public institutions and infrastructure.
Nyong'o also pointed out that Lake Victoria's increasing backflow has also worsened the flood situation adding that the whole of Ahero and Muhoroni Towns are flooded.
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He added that the flood situation has left more than 600 people stranded in their homes, business premises, health facilities and on the roads.
Additionally, the governor stated that several health facilities including the Ahero sub-county hospital have been flooded affecting the wards and offices.
FLOOD UPDATES IN KISUMU AND INTERVENTIONS AS AT TODAY,MAY 5,2024 pic.twitter.com/OGYZ3j21UQ
— Gov. Anyang' Nyong'o (@AnyangNyongo) May 5, 2024
Similarly, the floods have disrupted several roads rendering them impassable, making it difficult to distribute food and evacuate victims.
"Many parts of Muhoroni and Nyakach are cut off from the rest of the county due to the floods. Ahero bridge on the busy Kisumu-Nairobi-Kisii-Homa Bay and Migori have been flooded disrupting transport," Nyong'o added.
"Kabonyo Kanyagwal, Ombaka and Sango Rota areas are adversely affected by the backflow from Lake Victoria. The bridge on Homa lime bridge in the Muhoroni sub-county has collapsed whereas seven villages in Ombeyi location are completely submerged in water."
The county chief, however, assured residents that his administration is working closely with the national government through their Multi-Agency committee to help victims.
"We are making arrangements to hire boats to help in the ferrying of affected households to evacuation centres. In addition to the Ksh4.8 million worth of food and non-food items we distributed last week, we are making efforts to distribute more food to the affected families," he said.
In addition to this, the county governor noted that a medical camp has been set up at Bunde dispensary and more are being planned.
He further appealed to well-wishers to donate food and non-food items to the victims and asked people living along Miriu and other rivers near Lake Victoria to leave and seek refuge on higher ground.
