By Sammy Jakaa and Evelyn Kwamboka
Fish farmers in Teso North are counting losses after floods destroyed a fish-farming project in Kolanya sub location, killing over 6,000 tilapia fingerlings.
The dam that is estimated to have cost the Ministry of Fisheries close to Sh444,410 through the Economic Stimulus Project was to benefit 6,000 households.
Confirming the incident, Teso North District Fisheries Officer Jared Agano blamed the loss on the heavy downpour in the area.
He said it had rained heavily two days before the dam collapsed causing the water to overflow in the spillway and eventually breaking its banks.
He, however, assured residents that other activities in the dam such as water supply and irrigation have not been affected.
“We have confirmed that a large number of fingerlings have been lost. However other activities in the dam have not been affected,” said Mr Agano.
At the same time floods have affected more than 7,000 people in Nyakach District, area DC Chaunga wa Chaunga has said.
He said there are nine camps accommodating close to 1,600 households as they wait for their submerged houses to dry up.
The most affected area in the region is lower Nyakach where Miriu and Sondu rivers burst their banks due to heavy rains pounding Kericho and Bureti areas.
“The situation is not good. The Government cannot afford to feed the displaced and relocating them to safer areas will not be easy,” he added. On Tuesday, the Hindu Council in Kisumu County visited the displaced and distributed foodstuffs and clothes.The chairman, Councillor Naresh Patel assured the fmilies of assistance.
