Over 700 households affected by floods in Kisumu

Hundreds of Kisumu residents have been affected by floods, as a result of heavy rainfall pounding various parts of the Country.

During a press briefing on Wednesday morning at his office, Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o said 725 households had so far been affected by flooding, with the number set to rise if the rains continue.

Nyong'o said some of the affected areas include Kolwa Central, Kolwa East, Kajulu, Nyalenda B, Ombeyi and Kadibo.

For instance, in Nyalenda B, 90 households have been affected with 46 being displaced.

"One displaced household is one too many and my heart goes out to the suffering and the affected families," he said.

"However, I am encouraged by the mitigating measures my government put in place to respond to such possible occurance. These measures such as opening water ways and distilling of rivers in the flood hotspots before the onset of the rains have contributed to the depressed numbers that we are reporting today."

As one of the responses to the flooding menace, Nyong'o flagged off food and non food items worth Sh5 million to be distributed to the affected families.

The items include maize flour, cooking oil, beans, blankets and children gumboots, provided by Nyong'o's administration and a host of county partners.

"The Red Cross and on the other hand has mobilized family relief kits comprising of cooking pans, mosquito nets, water jerrycans, plates and other curtilary as well as evacuation tents. Our partner Care Kenya has mobilized 72, 000 sachets of water purifiers for distribution," said the governor.

He urged other stakeholders and well wishers to extend further support to the effected families and households.