River Malaba in Busia has split into two.
The river runs on the border between Kenya and Uganda.
The split began in 2020 as a small stream when the river flooded.
The stream, however, increased in width last year during the long rains season.
It has recorded more width and depth in the last four days.
More water is also flowing into it compared to 2020 and 2021, residents said.
The increase in depth and width results from heavy rains experienced in Busia and Mount Elgon area in the last four days.
River Malaba originates in Mt Elgon. It runs through Bungoma before entering Busia.
Residents of Amoni said the river may widen and deepen more with the continuing heavy rains.
Kenya is expected to experience heavy rains until May, according to the Meteorological Department.
The new river cuts across a Sh306 million Malaba sewer project at Amoni village in Teso North.
The project is meant to improve sanitation in Malaba town.
The sewer project’s land approximating two acres now lies between the two rivers.
Residents of Amoni have taken advantage of the two rivers to cultivate vegetables.
They say the area is wet and cool throughout.
They are also taking advantage of the silt deposited by the two rivers to cultivate other crops like maize.
The silt makes soil in the area fertile, they said on Sunday.
The sewer project was to be launched June in 2020. Funding challenges, however, delayed its launch due to slowed construction works.
There have been fears from residents of Amoni that the split of the main river might curve out part of Kenya into Uganda.
Residents said the new river may outgrow the main one and shift its course into Kenya.
The new river, Cleophas Omoding, said is also acting as a fish breeding zone.
Elizabeth Amukaga said mudfish are common in the new water channel.
She said whenever water in the river subsides, neighbours harvest the highly nutritious fish from the new river.
When Water and Sanitation PS Joseph Irungu visited the site in 2020, the area was bushy. The new water channel had just began then.
The sewer project was only 26 per cent complete.
The construction is being undertaken by Stecol Corporation.
The PS said the project was to be completed within 20 months to serve the over 120,000 residents of Malaba town and its environs.
Malaba town has no sewerage system and the project’s completion was expected to improve the town’s rainwater flow problems as well as sanitation.
The border town usually floods during heavy rain since it lies on relatively flat land. Its environs are swampy.
Betty Khaemba from Machakusi said she sources vegetables she sells in Malaba town from growers who cultivate next the new river.
The vegetables are sold to far away markets including Amagoro, Kocholya, Ang'urai, Osere City as well as Kamolo.
Edited by Henry Makori
