The government is committed to address Lake Kanyaboli water menace, Western regional commissioner Irungu Macharia has said.
Speaking to the press during an inspection visit to the lake on Thursday, Macharia said the government had mobilised three lorry tippers and one shovel from NYS Kisumu.
“We are still mobilising for more equipment because we have been told that we require 10 tippers, a bulldozer and three more shovels," he said.
Macharia said a team of engineers has been brought to the site.
He said advice from experts indicates that once the equipment has been mobilised, the construction of a cofferdam will be completed within the next three to four weeks to prevent the dam's water from moving downstream.
“The reconstruction of this dam will however take much longer," he said.
Macharia said all stakeholders should work together to ensure those affected receive humanitarian support.
He said once the dyke has been reconstructed, there will be a need for continuous monitoring to ensure it meets the recommended standards.
“As you can see, this dyke was very narrow but there will be a need to expand it so that it can withstand large volumes of water in the future,” he said.
Macharia said spillways should be well maintained to allow the smooth flow of water.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma said there is a need to fast-track the reconstruction works so the lake does not continue to cause environmental havoc.
Assistant Director Commanding National Youth Service Office in Kisumu William Otieno said five more tippers will be availed for the work on Monday.
“If the regional commissioner and county government of Busia are willing to work together and all the required resources are available, the NYS team is very ready to work," he said.
Otieno said a number of NYS officers are currently engaged in the recruitment exercise and will actively take part in the reconstruction work starting Monday next week.
The multi-agency team later visited Bunyala Central and Bunyala South wards to assess the magnitude of the damage caused by the ravaging waters of Lake Kanyaboli.
At least 3,000 households have been affected by the waters, with around 8,000 acres of maize crop submerged.
