An elderly woman has been rescued alongside seven others from floodwaters in Ahero, Kisumu County after River Nyando broke its banks.
According to a statement issued by the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) Society on Sunday, May 5, the incident left many stranded.
“This elderly woman is one of the eight out of 40 people who have been evacuated to safety after being marooned in Ahero, Kisumu, due to the overflowing River Nyando,” the KRC disclosed.
The humanitarian authority said efforts to rescue those still trapped are still ongoing, with the cooperation of the County Government, Kenya Coast Guard Service, and Kenya Red Cross.
“Rescue operations for the others continue, thanks to the efforts of the County Government, Kenya Coast Guard Service and Kenya Red Cross.”
This elderly woman is one of the eight out of 40 people who have been evacuated to safety after being marooned in Ahero, Kisumu, due to the overflowing River Nyando.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) May 5, 2024
Rescue operations for the others continue, thanks to the efforts of the County Government, Kenya Coast Guard… pic.twitter.com/aCVxXgebkI
River Nyando overflows
Earlier, residents from Kobura village, Kisumu County were reported marooned by floods after River Nyando burst its banks.
The Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with the Kisumu County Government and the Kenya Coast Guard Service, launched a rescue operation to aid approximately 20 distressed households.
The Ahero Bridge had to be temporarily shut down due to the flooding, disrupting travel between Kisumu and Nairobi.
Essential facilities such as shops, schools like Ahero Girls’ Secondary School, public institutions, and even a police station were submerged.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o noted the severity of the situation, attributing it to the increased backflow from Lake Victoria.
Over 600 individuals were trapped in various locations, including homes, businesses, and healthcare facilities.
Ahero Town was particularly hard hit, with even the Ahero Sub-County Hospital affected by flooding.
The crisis extended to neighbouring areas, with seven villages in Ombeyi completely underwater and infrastructure like the Homa Lime bridge in Muhoroni Sub-County collapsing.
Muhoroni Town faced significant flooding, while numerous roads were impassable, hampering relief efforts and transportation of essential supplies. Efforts were underway to employ boats for evacuations and distribute additional aid to affected families.
Governor Nyong’o called for urgent assistance, calling upon state departments with helicopters and encouraging residents along rivers and Lake Victoria to seek higher ground.
He also appealed to donors to contribute food and essential items, with a collection centre established at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex in Kisumu.
“We are making arrangements to hire boats to help in the ferry affected households to evacuation centres. In addition to the Ksh4.8 million worth of food and non-food items we distributed last week, we are making fresh efforts to distribute more food to the affected families. We have appealed to the state departments with helicopters including the KDF, Kenya Wildlife Services, and Kenya Forest Service to intervene and help us rescue the affected people,” Nyong’o said.
