- Traders and customers were forced to wade through the raging waters.
- Kisumu city manager, through the county government, has promised to collaborate with Kenha to address the problems comprehensively.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
The Kisumu county government has apologised to traders at Jubilee market over the flooding of the facility and pledged to permanently address the menace.
This is after the market was flooded on Wednesday evening following a heavy downpour, making it impassable to traders and customers.
Traders and customers were forced to wade through the raging waters around the market, especially the fresh fish section.
“As a county government in collaboration with Kenha, our attention is focused on dealing with the flooding menace immediately,” Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga said.
Wanga, in a press statement on Thursday, said a joint based assessment has revealed that the floods are caused by non-existence of drainage linkage within the market area.
“My office and that of the city engineer have more than once consulted with the Nyanza regional director of Kenha on the problem affecting the market market,” Wanga said.
On May, the county government reassured residents of its commitment to address the flash floods in the city’s Central Business District when it rains.
This was after the CBD experienced massive flash floods due to heavy downpour on Monday evening.
Residents have attributed the floods to poor drainage system.
Major streets such Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta Highway and Ang'awa were all flooded. Other affected areas include backstreets and the main bus park.
Some of the hotels and shops were marooned.
The county has also cited the structures built on drainage system as the reason for the flash floods.
Residents however claimed that the flooding has been occasioned by the ongoing projects in the city.
Estates such as Migosi, Manyataa, Nyalenda, Obunga, Carwash and Kondele were also flooded due to the heavy rains.
Wanga said the county government is working hard to ensure the drainage system is done well.
He said a team of engineers, including those from the city, Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company, and those overseeing ongoing projects have been mandated to immediately establish the cause of the flooding.
“We are expecting them to give us an expert opinion and best way forward on how to resolve the flooding menace permanently,” Wanga said.
He said the report will then be handed over to Governor Anyang Nyong’o for swift action.
Wanga also appealed to residents, especially experts, to join hands with the county in addressing the drainage system in Kisumu.
“We welcome fruitful advice from our people to help in the problem we are facing,” he said.
The county has been demolishing structures erected on top of drainage and sewer lines in its efforts to tackle the flash floods.