The ongoing West Kano–Kanyagwal Flood Control Project./FAITH MATETEThe government has intensified efforts to end the persistent flooding that has long devastated communities in West Kano, Kisumu County, through the ongoing West Kano–Kanyagwal Flood Control Project.
The government is implementing the project through the National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority.
The project is located in Ogenya Sub-location, Kadibo Sub-county, a low-lying area along the River Nyando delta where backflow from Lake Victoria routinely submerges homes and farmlands.
The most recent floods displaced 684 households, with 450 houses completely destroyed in Kanyagwal.
The flood control project is 48 per cent complete and is designed to reclaim approximately 7,000 hectares.
Key components include a 1.5-metre-high dyke stretching 3.5 kilometres, a footbridge under the CSR component, and grassing and tree planting to stabilise reclaimed sections.
Once complete, the infrastructure will shield homes, farms and critical facilities, including schools, health centres, markets and places of worship in severely affected villages such as Kanduru, Kanyangi, Kajowi, Wachiegwe, Kanyamuok, and Karagwel.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said the government is determined to deliver a permanent solution after years of recurrent destruction.
“For too long, families here have lived in fear of the next flood. This project is a key part of our commitment to protect lives, restore livelihoods, and ensure people can live and farm without constant disruption,” PS Omollo said.
“We are not only building a dyke we are restoring dignity and security for thousands of residents.”
He added that the project forms part of the government's broader plan to strengthen climate resilience across flood-prone regions.
PS Omollo was among the first senior officials to visit the area during the last flooding incident, where he assessed the destruction, met displaced households, and coordinated emergency support.
Local resident Charles Osaka, from Kabonyo Kanyagwal, praised the project and described the suffering residents endured before government intervention.
“When the floods hit, people were marooned for days. Many of us had nowhere to go, and our homes and farms were buried in water,” Osako recalled.
“PS Omollo came personally to see our situation. He spoke to the rescue teams and ensured the affected families were helped. For us, that meant a lot.”
Osako added that community meetings were held thereafter to identify lasting solutions.
In June, a technical team was dispatched to investigate the cause of the prolonged flooding and discovered several blockages along Wang’ Nyando that prevented water from draining into Lake Victoria.
Many families are still living in tents and rescue centres, with farms remaining uncultivated months later.
Despite these challenges, Owalo said the community is optimistic.
“We are happy the dyke is finally being built. This is what we needed to end the flood menace that has troubled Nyando for decades,” he said.
“In two years, we believe these floods will be a thing of the past.”
A maintenance committee will oversee the dyke, with scheduled checks every six months to ensure the structure remains stable and functional.
For residents who have endured years of displacement and loss, the project symbolizes hope and the beginning of a safer, more secure future.
