Kisumu County is grappling with the aftermath of distinct but equally devastating disasters, prompting simultaneous response and assessment efforts from the county government.
A severe hailstorm has wiped out the majority of the rice harvest in Kadibo sub-county, while a recent heavy downpour caused a section of the Kibuye Market to collapse.
The most severe blow was delivered to the agricultural sector, where a hailstorm has inflicted catastrophic damage upon the Kochieng rice Irrigation Scheme.
The calamity struck late on Wednesday night. An assessment conducted on Friday confirmed that the storm impacted approximately 60 hectares (148.26 acres).
With the rice crop at the critical ripening stage, the scheme secretary reported that an estimated 80% of the rice in the mature stage was completely destroyed.
This loss wiped out an expected yield of 4,448 bags of rice. While crops still at the milk and dough stages were not severely affected by the physical impact, they were noted to be heavily stressed following the extreme weather.
The affected area, situated in Miguye village, Kochieng sub-location, Kochieng East location, in Kobura ward, has seen the livelihoods of approximately 150 farming families directly impacted.
Local leaders and scheme management are now urgently calling for intervention from the Kisumu County government and national disaster response agencies to provide support and relief.
Meanwhile, in Kisumu City, officials were busy assessing structural damages at the Kibuye Market after a section of the facility collapsed following a recent heavy downpour.
Kisumu City Manager Michael Aballa Wanga, in the company of the Kisumu City Board Chairman Eng. Kenneth Nyangaga and the County’s Chief Officer for Communication, Special Programmes and Public Affairs Timothy Nyakwamba Kajwang’, toured the site to inspect the damage, which resulted in two stalls succumbing to the collapse.
City Manager Wanga conveyed the directive of H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, assuring affected traders that they will be compensated and that a structural assessment will be undertaken
immediately to prevent any future recurrence.
He further advised traders to be ready for relocation as the market is set to undergo a major facelift, promising that the city will restore both power and water by Tuesday next week.
Chief Officer Kajwang’ confirmed that a team of Engineers is examining the site to determine if the failure was a result of structural weakness, lack of maintenance, or shoddy work by the contractor.
The assessment reports will be presented by a committee convened by the County Secretary, which will also consider whether affected parties require support and whether the causes merit compensation.
