Farmers count losses after floods destroyed Crops

Homa Bay, Friday April 28, 2023

K.N.A By Davis Langat

A section of the farming communities in Ndhiwa, Karachuonyo and Suba North constituencies are counting losses after their crops were destroyed by raging floods.

The crops including maize, ground nuts and beans were swept by raging floods over the past few days.

Kenya Red Cross Homa Bay Coordinator Samwuel Omondi said they were assessing the situation as they work out a plan for intervention.

In Ndhiwa, farmers from five villages including Wadh-Ochola, Kidoyi and Kobodo incurred losses after their maize crops were destroyed.

Kajwang’ Sub location Chief Enosh Nyawade said the crops were destroyed after rivers Kidoyi and Wadh Ochola broke their banks causing flooding in the farms.

Nyawade said they are still conducting assessment and evaluation of the total number of farmers affected in the sub location.

“We have farmers who haven’t come to report the destruction but we’re getting information that more than 20 families have been affected.

 One of the farmers from Kidoyi village Richard Ouko said his maize crop farm was swept away by raging floods.

Ouko urged the county government and other relevant authorities to construct dykes.

“Some families have also been displaced. We’re appealing for well-wishers to assist us,” Ouko said.

In Suba North, villages such as Waringa, Ogando, Sulwe, Kamato, Gamba, Odielo and Agulu were affected. Floods destroyed crops in the villages.

Lambwe West Chief Daniel Obure said sections of some roads such as Kaloo-Ogando, Kadio-Goyo and God Jope- Lambwe have become impassable and that the floods destroyed bridges.

He said rivers Sidede, Goyo and Kamato have burst their banks.

“Many of our people are really facing difficulties because of floods, this may pose food insecurity if it persists.” Obure said.

In Kachuonyo, residents living around Bala, Chuowe, Kobala and Kobuya villages were marooned by the floods.

Aluora Makare organisation Chairman Willis Omula said the ongoing rains are causing destruction and required urgent interventions.

 A roof in a building that has three classrooms at Kibaga primary school was blown off.

National government administration officials have asked families in flood prone areas to move to higher ground.

Courtesy K.N.A