Kisumu partners with Dutch organization on Sh4.9 billion project to end Nyando flooding

Officials from the Netherlands during a meeting. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

In partnership with the Kisumu County Government, a Netherlands-based organization has initiated an extensive, Sh. 4.9 billion project, set to span over a decade, to tackle the chronic flooding issues in the Nyando Basin.

This effort is spearheaded by the Ahero/Awasi Municipality Board, under Chairman Prof. Humphrey Oborah, who is confident in the program's potential to address the long-standing flood challenges faced by the local community.

Prof. Oborah emphasized the importance of such support, citing flooding as a persistent problem that has impacted the community for generations.

Leveraging his international connections, he introduced Trust 2 Impact, a Dutch organization, to help implement sustainable flood control solutions. A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed with the Kisumu County Government to formalize the commitment.

Professional Humphrey Oborah. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Acknowledging the widespread reliance on food donations due to frequent floods, Prof. Oborah expressed the need for sustainable measures to eliminate this dependency.

The program’s initiatives include ecological restoration and reforestation efforts in degraded areas around Awasi, Muhoroni, and Nyakach, which he believes will benefit the region immensely.

During the official launch of the organization’s Kisumu office at the Africa Talent Campus, he outlined goals for increased crop yield and enhanced tree cover, ultimately contributing to carbon credit potential.

The program will progress in phases, starting with a pilot project in Nyando Sub-County, focusing on identifying suitable crops and trees for planting.

With financial backing from international partners, the mid-term goals target significant advances in agriculture, agroforestry, and reforestation efforts.

Locals who turned up during the opening of the organization office. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu County Assembly Majority Leader and Ahero Ward MCA Ken Ooko endorsed the project, highlighting its potential to alleviate the hardships caused by recurring floods.

He noted that the initiative also includes dyke construction and aims to foster cooperation between local residents and experts to address climate-related challenges effectively.

He urged residents to support the project, viewing it as a timely solution to the annual devastation brought by floods, and expressed hope for scaling up the initiative to other sub-counties.

A representative from the Dutch organization emphasized their commitment to working alongside local communities, empowering them to develop solutions that directly address local flooding issues.

Flood victims from Nyando, Kisumu East, and Muhoroni expressed optimism for the program’s potential to transform their lives.