As heavy rains continue to batter various regions across the country, isolated cases of flooding have been reported, displacing thousands of families and causing widespread damage. The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning to residents in flood-prone areas, urging them to cooperate with disaster response teams as the situation intensifies. The National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) have been actively coordinating efforts to monitor and manage the ongoing floods, providing immediate assistance to the affected communities.
The Lake Victoria Basin and North Western regions have been particularly hard hit, experiencing heavy rainfall in the past week. In Kisumu County, for example, River Nyando has burst its banks, leading to the displacement of families from the areas of Kamidumbi and Panadol in Ahero. These families have had to seek refuge along the highway, with many others fearing the growing risk of flooding in the coming days.
The government has been keen to ensure the safety of the displaced families. Flood alerts have been issued for a number of regions, including the North Eastern, South Eastern, Coast, Central, and South Rift Valley areas. The ministry has warned that storms will likely continue through the weekend, although they are expected to subside by next week. With such severe weather conditions predicted, authorities are urging residents to be vigilant and to take necessary precautions, especially those living near rivers, lakes, and floodplains.
In Kisumu Central Sub-county, evacuation efforts are in full swing as approximately 200 households have been affected. These households, located in areas such as Kapuothe, Nanga, Lower Katuoro, Wigwa, and part of Dunga, have experienced widespread damage, with around 100 acres of crops being washed away by the rising waters. The displaced families are being temporarily housed in Nanga Primary School, where they are receiving emergency aid and humanitarian support from the State Department for Special Programmes, the Red Cross, and other relief agencies.
The situation remains dire in Kisumu East Sub-county, where 140 households have been displaced due to the floods. Villages such as Onjweru, Kanyawade, Kaloo, Kodie, Awuor Ajwang’, Kodeyo, Alara, Kowuore, Kabuong Kanyawade, Kamiendi, and parts of Kachola have been severely affected. As floodwaters continue to rise, local authorities are working tirelessly to provide shelter, food, and medical supplies to those in need.
In addition to the immediate crisis, the long-term effects of the floods are expected to be devastating, particularly for the agricultural sector. The loss of crops and the damage to farmland are likely to have a lasting impact on the livelihoods of many families in the affected regions. The government has promised to offer assistance to farmers whose crops have been destroyed and to help restore the damaged infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, the Ministry of Interior has emphasized the importance of community cooperation during such emergencies. “We urge residents to stay calm and work closely with the disaster response teams. Their safety and well-being are our top priority,” the ministry said in a statement. The response teams, composed of local authorities, humanitarian organizations, and government officials, have been working around the clock to ensure that those affected receive timely help.
Looking ahead, the government has called for continued vigilance as more rain is expected in the coming days. Evacuation efforts are ongoing in flood-prone areas, and disaster management teams are prepared to respond swiftly should the situation worsen. Residents in the affected regions are encouraged to stay informed about weather updates and to follow safety guidelines issued by the authorities.
In the meantime, humanitarian efforts continue, with donations and relief supplies being sent to the affected areas. As the country braces for more heavy rains, it is hoped that the combined efforts of the government, aid agencies, and local communities will help mitigate the effects of the floods and provide much-needed support to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
