Boats replace cars as floods displace families in Nyanza

Hundreds of families have been displaced and thousands more affected by floods in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties after River Miriu burst its banks following days of heavy rains. 

The floods have destroyed homes, submerged farms and cut off key roads, leaving residents stranded even as the Kenya Meteorological Department warns more rainfall is expected in the coming week. 

In Nyakach, Kisumu county, more than 700 residents have been forced to flee their homes after River Miriu overflowed, flooding villages and sweeping away crops. 

What was once a busy village road in Sango Rota, West Nyakach, is now a stretch of muddy floodwaters. 

The road, which residents used daily to access markets, schools and health centres, has completely disappeared beneath the swollen waters of River Miriu. 

In its place, a small wooden boat now ferries stranded residents across the flooded section, becoming the only means of transport in and out of the area. 

Families have moved to higher grounds where temporary camps have been set up as the floods continue to spread.

Resident Florence Achieng said the floods have destroyed their crops and left families without any source of livelihood. 

She said all their crops have been washed away and they no longer have anything to depend on. 

Resident Silas Kisia said homes and roads have disappeared under water, forcing villagers to rely on boats for movement.

“Everything is under water. Homes have been affected and people have been forced to relocate. Where there were roads and homes, now we have to use boats. It is a sad state of affairs,” he said. 

Residents say the floods have become a recurring disaster in the area.

James Were said they have not yet received help from leaders. 

“We have not seen our area leaders come to help us despite the suffering people are going through,” he said. 

Lower Kadianga assistant chief Regan Ouma said local authorities have established three evacuation centres to host the displaced families.

“We have three evacuation centres. At Nyadina PAG we have about 250 displaced people, at Obange we have 200 and at Nyakoda there are 250,” he said. 

Residents say flooding along River Miriu has been a recurring problem since 1962, destroying homes and crops year after year. 

They say what they need now is a permanent solution to the floods. 

Some residents said that in the past Budalang’i was known for severe floods but the situation improved after flood control measures were put in place, and they are calling for similar interventions in their area.

 In neighbouring Homa Bay county, at least 500 families have also been displaced after River Miriu burst its banks.

Some 381 families in Kobala sublocation, Wang’chieng ward, in Karachuonyo constituency have been displaced. 

The affected families come from Konyango village, Kawuor Agindo, Kasirawa and Komenya villages. 

Local authorities say about 56 hectares (138 acres) of farmland have been destroyed while several houses remain marooned by floodwaters. Household items, livestock and crops have also been swept away by the floods. 

A multi-agency team led by the Kenya Red Cross Society evacuated the affected families using boats.

 Many of them are now sheltering at Osodo Comprehensive School and nearby churches. 

The displaced families are appealing to the government to provide food and other essential supplies to help them survive in the camps. 

Kobala assistant chief George Oburu said the floods could have been prevented if flood control projects along River Miriu had been completed.

 He called for the completion of stalled dykes along the river to address the perennial flooding in the area.

 Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said the county government has delivered relief supplies and assessed the situation on the ground. 

She said beyond emergency relief, the county government is committed to implementing long-term measures, including building dykes to control flooding and protect communities from future disasters. 

Residents in both counties say while emergency relief is important, what they urgently need is a lasting solution to the floods that continue to destroy homes, farms and livelihoods along River Miriu.