- Some 500 people have been displaced and are living in a camp in Likuyani after river Kipsangui burst its banks and flooded their homes on Tuesday evening.
- Another 1,000 people in Malava are likely to be displaced by floodwaters from River Nzoia and the surface water running from the Nandi escarpments.
Image: HILTON OTENYO
Kakamega county has depleted its emergency fund and is now banking on the national government to deal with emergencies and disasters related to the current flooding, officials have said.
Some 500 people have been displaced and are living in a camp in Likuyani after river Kipsangui burst its banks and flooded their homes on Tuesday evening.
Another 1,000 people in Malava are likely to be displaced by floodwaters from River Nzoia and the surface water running from the Nandi escarpments if the rains persists, public service executive Benjamin Andama said.
County secretary Lawrence Omuhaka said the county government was preparing a report to be sent to the Council of Governors so as to receive support to victims of flooding.
“We are preparing a quotation on what our situation is and what we require so that the same can be forwarded to the national government for support,” he said.
“We have already depleted what had been set aside for disaster response because the law only allows two per cent of the annual budget to be set aside for emergencies,” he said.
President William Ruto had asked MPs to pass Sh10.6 billion for the response to floods that have already claimed over 300 lives and displaced thousands across the country.
Omuhaka said the county has had to deal with repair of damaged bridges and roads affected by the heavy rains in the past weeks.
Some residents in Likuyani, Navakholo, Khwisero and Mumias West have moved from their homes as rivers Nzoia, Yala and Kipsangui overflow their banks.
In Navakholo, residents of Sikubale village in Bunyala West ward moved from their homes to camp at Sikubale Primary School on Tuesday evening after River Nzoia broke its banks, flooded their homes, destroyed their crops and washed away domestic animals.
Residents of Lupele village in Likuyani ward are camping at the Likuyani Joy Baptist church after river Kipsangui flooded their homes on Tuesday
Chief officer in charge of service delivery, Dr Phitalis Masakhwe, said the county government is working on detailed disaster management plans in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society to address the current floods.
He said these plans include the establishment of rescue centres and disaster emergency camps to accommodate those displaced from their homes.