Nyando Flood victims struggle for shelter and survival

About 30 people are forced to share one classroom, which ordinarily hosts about 15 people. Affected residents are calling for the setting up of more evacuation camps to ease pressure on existing infrastructure. Laura Otieno reports on the escalating crisis as sanitary conditions continue to deteriorate.

In one of the crammed classrooms at Ombaka Primary School in Nyando, 60-year-old Masline Ogonyo ponders her next move. A stack of utensils towers next to their makeshift bedroom, still bearing leftovers from yesterday's meal. 

This classroom is home to 30 families drawn from Ogenya and Nyamasao areas who were rendered homeless after River Nyando broke its banks on Saturday.

Masline Ogonyo, a resident of Ogenya, recounts her experience: "I arrived here at seven in the evening. I just laid down a mat and slept with my child.

 There were no blankets until the Red Cross provided some. At this point, I see the government has provided food, but even with food, the situation is dire."

Outside, a group of children are lucky to have caught some fish, which will warm their bellies as they wait for the next meal. 

The aged rely on their grandchildren. An average of 300 families have sought refuge at Ombaka Primary School, the only designated evacuation site in the area. Makeshift tents dot the school field, prompting urgent action calls from the government.

Zachary Ongili, a resident of Kanyagwal, expresses concern: "In Ogenya Kanyagwal, there's no evacuation plan, and it's very difficult. They should build the dyke along River Nyando to prevent flooding."

Jim Emmanuel, a resident of Kakola, speaks of his losses: "I have suffered a huge loss; my house has collapsed. If I say I will rebuild, it will cost almost 100k. Even if the water recedes, it's still a problem we will have to deal with."

Hopes of returning to normalcy remain as soggy as the ground below, with the government intensifying calls for those in flood-prone areas to move out.

Eliud Owalo, the Minister of ICT and Digital Economy, emphasizes proactive measures: "The rain is unpredictable. We do not want to be responsive to negative effects of floods; we want to be proactive. That's why we are advising our people to move out of the river banks, following the appeal already made by His Excellency the President."