Over 500 families camp in schools as floods wreak havoc

At least 500 families in Budalang’i have been rendered homeless due to floods.

The floods have hit most parts of Bunyala South and Bunyala North, with affected families opting to take refuge in local primary schools.

The situation is likely to get worse as the region continues to receive more rainfall. Houses have been weakened, farm crops and chickens have been washed away and livestock have nowhere to graze.

Some of the villages affected in Bunyala North are Igigo, Bulagu, Mumbira, Ikhula, Budunyi, Khulukhindu and Sikokhe.

The victims have moved to Igigo Primary School after their homes got flooded last Friday.  

In Bunyala South ward, 12 villages are under water. They are Musoma, Mudimbia, Maduwa, Bulwani, Iyanga, Bukhuma, Runyu, Rukala, Budala, Khulukhongo, Amabinyu and Maumau market.

Only Khaunga and Lugare have not been affected.

The residents are appealing to both the county and national governments to come to their rescue by supplying foodstuff, mosquito nets and clean water.

They say they have been forced to stay in a crowded classroom, which may expose them to the deadly coronavirus.

Lilian Okite from Igigo is one of the affected people. As she was preparing to go to bed on Friday with her children, floodwaters started flowing into her house.

She thought the rain would subside and water would stop flowing into the house. The compound was flooded. She tried to drain the water to no avail.

On that night, Ms Okite and her children did not sleep for fear of being carried away by the flood.

Alphonse Opondo, another victim from Bunyala South, called on area leaders and government officials to address the matter.

“People are suffering but the leaders we elected are not coming to the ground to address the situation. There is crowding in rooms where affected families have moved to seek refuge,” said Mr Opondo.

Area MP Raphael Wanjala regretted that his constituents were going through difficult times. He urged the affected people to move to schools that have not been affected by floods.

“What is needed urgently is clean water, food and mosquito nets as we try to look for a solution to the problems we are facing right now,” said Mr Wanjala.

Yesterday, County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri called on people living near rivers Nzoia, Malaba and Malakisi to move to safer areas.

“The region is experiencing heavy rainfall and we have areas that are always affected by floods," he said.