The Kisumu county Department of Roads and Public works has began desilting River Wigwa in Nyalenda following heavy flooding and displacement of hundreds of Kisumu families.
The residents affected by the flash floods after most rivers broke their banks following heavy downpour witnessed in Western Kenya include those living in Kapuothe, Nanga and Dunga.
They called on the county to continue with the cleanup of the rivers to allow for free flow of water into the lake, saying every now and then when there is heavy downpour most families are affected.
The desilting works on River Wigwa and the streams around started with the intention to remove sediment that has collected in the river and are impeding water flow.
The efforts are meant to protect Nyalenda community from further flooding.
The team was led by Water executive Salmon Orimba and the acting director of Special Programmes and Disaster Management Atieno Otieno.
The team also inspected River Nyando, streams and channels around it in a bid to identify blockages around them.
Orimba said failure to open the waterways may lead to major damages, loss of homes and businesses, even as tonnes of waste was evacuated from River Wigwa.
He also said the desilting works have the potential to improve the hydraulic performance of a river.
"We couldn't be happier with the fast action of the county government and we hope that a long lasting solution can be sought so that we are not displaced again" John Ojwang', a resident of Nyalenda B, said.
Desilting works will continue in Nyalenda and will also be carried out in Nyando, Nyakach and Kolwa East.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
