Agony as over 1,000 people displaced, several villages submerged by floods in Kisumu

About 1,000 residents of Kamnwa village in Kisumu remain displaced due to the ever-rising water levels of Lake Victoria.

The residents have accused both levels of government of neglect, saying their incessant calls have fallen on deaf ears.

The entire location is staring at possible displacement in the next long rain season, as any overspill from the Sondu Miriu River could spell doom for thousands of villagers.

An aura of destitution hangs above abandoned homesteads, paths overrun by water, and some structures swallowed by high papyrus reeds which show strong signs of a near ghost village in West Nyakach.

The few who still brave the waters have to contend with the possibility of their roofs caving in due to the soggy state of their homes.

“Mimi nimehama mara saba, siwezi sema ni mara moja…nyumba kama ile nikijenga maji ikuje si inaanguka, sasa kukaa ni shida. Alafu sasa viboko pia tunakaa tu nazo kwa mlango na ni kitu huwezi kaa nayo kwa mlango, inaua watu,” said a victim, Florence Mbok.

Another resident Peres Awino added; “Sina ata shamba ya kulima, ata kuku haiwezi kukaa kwa maji. Ata mbuzi, ngombe zangu walifariki wote...”

Even the dead are not spared, only those who cemented the graves of their loved ones have survived the wrath of the water.

Residents have accused both levels of government of failing to heed their plea to set up gabions along a 15-kilometre stretch to prevent the backflow from Lake Victoria.

“Aduma, Nyong’o, Tom Ojienda, kujeni mtusaidie sisi, tumeshindwa na kuhama na maji kila siku,” lamented Norah Obonyo

Beatrice Atieno added; “Sijawaiona Nyong'o na macho yangu. Aduma nilimuona tu siku alikuja hapa kuomba kura na MCA Ojembo. Nashangaa mko wapi na maji inatuua.”

With the rising tides of Lake Victoria gaining ground with every passing day, hundreds of acres of ancestral land in Kamnwa village remain deserted.

Affected residents are appealing for intervention from both levels of government to restore their livelihoods.