Written by Joseph Amunya Otieno 2012-09-08 11:25:00 Read 1185 Times

Likuyani, Kakamega County - As  heavy rains continues to ponder  various parts of  the country over 76 families from Soy sub - location in Likuyani District have sent a distress call to the government and well wishers to come to their aid after being marooned by flood waters.

The families with an estimated population of over 400 people living on the 50 acres swampy land have been forced to abandon their homesteads and move out to safer areas fearing an epidemic as a result of wetness and domestic utilization of contaminated water especially after both the bore holes flooded by water.

Some of the marooned homesteads in Likuyani District [PHOTO|Joseph Amunya|West Fm]

One of the victims said that since they started living in the area over 20 years ago they have never witnessed such situation

“We have not witnessed this kind of episode since we inhabited this 50 acre strip several years ago”, he lamented.

He said losses estimated to run into millions of shillings has been seen with crops and household items being swept every time it pours down.

Several leaders from the area led by Rev. Japheth Mulati and Mrs. Oliver Morema a social development assistant officer have appealed to government and other well wishers to step in and assist the victims.

“The condition is pathetic some and requires a quick intervention to save these people, some have been stuck in the uncompromising conditions while others are camping in open areas without shelter and food”, said Morema.

Some of the victims called on the government to give them an alternative land and use the current area for development of a dam that will assist Likuyani residents during dry seasons.

A section of the flooded 50 acre land in Likuyani District [PHOTO|Leonard Wamalwa|West Fm] 

“If the government is listening to our cry let it look for an alternative lands elsewhere and give it to us and put a dam here to supply Likuyani people with water for irrigation and even domestic use,” they said adding that they won’t care being taken away from the district so long as they get a safer place.

Speaking to West FM on phone area District Officer Mr. Juma Walela said that he had advised the residents to move to safer grounds as the government works out a viable solution adding that he had forwarded information about the situation to relevant authority

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