The National Government has responded to the devastating flooding in Trans Nzoia County with an emergency relief package worth KSh 29 million.
More than 3,000 households have been displaced following days of heavy rainfall that caused River Sabwani to burst its banks, inundating homes and wreaking havoc on the livelihoods of local residents.
The situation has left entire villages submerged, with crops washed away, livestock drowned, and homes destroyed.
In response, the government has dispatched essential supplies, including foodstuffs, bedding, and medical supplies to help alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Mulongo, led the distribution of relief items, which included 3,000 blankets, 1,200 mattresses, 90 cartons of bar soap, 900 bags of rice, sanitary pads, and mosquito nets.
These items were distributed to the hardest-hit areas, including the villages of Siuna, Namawanga, Rwanda, and Namanjalala.
“We are working hand in hand with several government departments to offer solutions to those affected by the floods,” said Mulongo during her visit to Namanjalala Primary School, one of the temporary shelters for displaced families.
Additionally, Mulongo directed the Trans Nzoia County Government to maintain a registry of the flood victims to ensure that they receive the necessary assistance and mitigation measures in the coming weeks.
The devastation has sparked renewed calls for a more permanent solution to the perennial flooding that plagues the region.
Trans Nzoia County Woman Representative, Lilian Siyoi, urged the government to formulate a long-term plan that addresses the root causes of flooding, especially in flood-prone areas such as Kapomboi Ward.
“We need a plan that will see residents who already live in flood-prone areas relocated to safer lands,” said Mrs. Siyoi, adding that frequent flooding continues to undermine the region's development.
Kiminini MP Kakai Bissau also challenged the county government to take a more active role in helping flood victims.
“The county government is playing a minimal role in assisting the residents who have been affected by the floods in this region,” said Bissau.
He called for greater coordination between county and national agencies to address the recurring flooding issues and provide lasting solutions.
In Kapomboi Ward, which has been particularly affected by the floods, many villagers have lost their homes and are struggling to survive. In Siuna Village, Wycliffe Wanyonyi described the dire situation.
“Our houses have collapsed, our boreholes are contaminated, and we’ve been forced out of our homes. Everything we worked for is gone.”
In Namanjalala, Noel Wanjala, a mother of three, shared the heart-wrenching impact of the floods: “Our children are homeless, and our poultry and livestock have been affected. There’s nothing left for us here. We have nowhere to go.”
The floods have also caused widespread destruction to public infrastructure. In Rwanda Village, residents are grappling with blocked drainage systems that have exacerbated the flooding.
"Our houses have fallen, and the drainage systems are clogged with debris. We pray that authorities will clear the drains and allow the water to recede," said Topister Nafula, a local resident.