Flood victims in Bunyala receive relief food

Busia, Wednesday May 24, 2023

KNA by Victoria Magar/Salome Alwanda

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has donated assorted foodstuffs to flood victims in Bunyala Sub County.

Speaking to the flood victims in Bunyala Tuesday, Odinga said that several reports have been made on how to address the flood menace that has affected both Bunyala and Nyando Sub Counties since pre independence.

“The amount of money that has been spent on research on flood control is much more than what has been used to support flood victims,” he said adding that the government had not set aside funds for its implementation.

He stated that the area can produce enough rice for both domestic consumption and export.

Odinga at the same time said that the cost of living was still very high despite President William Ruto’s promise to reduce it.

He added that the proposed 3 per cnet housing levy should be voluntary because most Kenyans are overburdened.

The opposition leader urged the bipartisan committee to address the issues affecting Kenyans.

He challenged MPs who were elected on Azimio tickets but have changed loyalty to relinquish their seats and seek fresh mandate from voters.

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma said that approximately 10,000 acres of crops have been submerged by the waters from Lake Kanyaboli.

Otuoma said that there was need for a permanent solution to the problem adding that the Sub County can be a good area for supporting blue economy.

“If the Lower Nzoia Project is completed, this area can bring 20,000 more acres under irrigation,” he said adding that the area can produce more rice than Mwea Irrigation scheme.

He stated that the county government will use all the available resources to ensure that Budalang’i is not an area of tragedy but food production.

“We want to remove Busia from poverty by ensuring that extension officers, subsidizing seeds, reviving cotton,” he said.

The governor said that the health team will use drones to carry out aerial spray of the flooded fields of Bunyala with a view to control malaria.

“We will also use the community health workers to spray residential areas so that those staying in temporary tents are protected from malaria.”

He further advised flood victims to use water treatment chemicals so that they do not suffer from waterborne diseases like cholera.

 Courtesy; K.N.A