Kenya has been experiencing floods for as long as one can remember. Whenever the skies open, lives are lost, hundreds displaced and property destroyed.
In Siaya and Busia counties alone, more than 70,000 people have to flee their homes annually, leading to loss of income, exposure to waterborne diseases and disruption of learning, among other inconveniences.
This can be tackled through well-constructed dykes, which will benefit the residents threefold. The dykes will not only prevent floods but will improve irrigation of farms and protect livelihoods and communities.
Busia, which for long suffered the flood curse courtesy of River Nzoia bursting its banks, had this problem solved through the Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Programme funded by the World Bank.
But must we wait for development partners to always step in to address our problems?
There is so much wastage and pilferage in government, which if curbed the funds could be utilised to tackle the flood issue once and for all.
Egypt, which is majorly a desert, harnesses the Nile waters for food production for a population of more than 109 million people
In Kenya, when it rains we are damned when it doesn't rain we are equally damned yet this water can be dammed to save lives and suffering during rainy and dry seasons.
We must also aggressively address forest destruction to mitigate adverse climatic conditions.
Quote of the Day: “Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.”
James F Byrnes
The American judge and politician was born on May 2, 1882
