The county government of Kisumu has embarked on distribution of supplies to over 1000 families affected by floods in the area.
The food and non-food items worth Sh5 million will support a total of 1200 households for two weeks as the county government moves to mitigate the effects of floods following heavy rains in the county.
The food aid includes maize flour, wheat flour, cooking oil, baby porridge, rice, milk, maize and beans.
Non-food items include blankets, bar soap, children gum boots to prevent exposure to infections such as bilhazia, solar lamps and sanitary towels.
The current heavy rains pounding Kisumu and many other parts of the country have caused flooding in flood-prone areas in Kisumu County causing displacements and damage to property and economic lifelines.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o said the most affected areas are Kolwa Central, Kolwa East and Kajulu wards in Kisumu East.
Other areas are Nyalenda B in Kisumu Central, Ombeyi Ward in Muhoroni subcounty, South West and Central Kisumu wards in Kisumu West and parts of the newly gazetted Kadibo subounty.
In Nyalenda B, Nyong'o said 90 households have been affected with 46 households displaced from their homes.
They have, however, been integrated within the community.
In Muhornoni subcounty, ten houses were destroyed with a total of 100 households affected in Ombeyi Ward.
In Kisumu West, 30 houses were destroyed and a total of 150 households affected in South West and Central Kisumu wards.
"One displaced household is one too many and my heart goes out to the families exposed to suffering. However, I am encouraged by the mitigating measures my government has put in place to respond to such possible occurrences," Nyong'o said.
Speaking after flagging off the consignment, the governor said his government has also partnered with other organisations to reach more households.
Through partnership with Care Kenya, he said 72,000 sachets of water purifiers have been procured for distribution in the affected areas to curb the spread of water borne diseases.
Unicef, he disclosed, was working with the public health department to distribute 2000 water buckets and ten cartons of soap for hand washing to the affected families.
The county government, he added, has activated evacuation centers at Ombaka Obiayo, Kangonda and Kanyango and some designated churches to act as holding grounds for the displaced.
Nyong'o urged well-wishers to partner with the county government to ensure that all victims are supported.
