Homa Bay MPs seek gov’t help as floods wreak havoc
A section of MPs from Homa Bay County want the government to intervene and help victims of floods who have been displaced following the ongoing El Nino rains.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the lawmakers claimed that over 500 have been rendered homeless and are in dire need of help.
MPs Peter Kaluma (Homabay Town), Adipo Kuome (Karachuonyo) and nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla said what is happening in Homa Bay is serious and ought to be addressed immediately.
“We are telling the government to focus on Homa Bay County, whatever is happening there is not something to joke with. Things are bad,” Kaluma said.
Kaluma told Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is coordinating government response on the floods to focus on the county as the rains have even made the residents' houses inhabitable with household items of unknown value being destroyed.
“Homa Bay County is a no-go zone area. The area is flooded and we need help urgently,” Kaluma added.
Their sentiments come just a day after more families in the county were displaced by floods leaving them homeless.
Koyugi location, Homa Bay
At Koyugi location within Karachuonyo Constituency, over 100 people from Bala and Maswa villages were displaced from their homes after river Awach Tende burst its banks due to heavy downpours on Sunday night.
The families were evacuated to Bala and Buru primary schools after their homes were marooned by water from River Awach Tende.
River Miriu also burst its banks, affecting more than 120 households in three villages.
Homabay County Kenya Red Cross County Coordinator Samwel Omondi said affected families needed humanitarian assistance. He said they were undertaking an assessment on the flood situation in the county.
Speaking in Parliament, Kuome said his constituency is completely submerged by water, asking the government to intervene.
In his statement, Kuome said his people are suffering as they have nowhere to go due to the floods.
“In Karachuonyo the whole area is under siege. Most parts are submerged in water and we need urgent intervention. We cannot operate,” Koume said. 
Ogolla regretted that the floods have not only rendered the residents homeless but have also seen them complaining of hunger.
She expressed concerns that the situation could be aggravated if proper mitigation measures are not put in place.
“We are telling the government to come to our aid, we are suffering. These floods have rendered our people homeless,” she said.
