Kisumu: The national government is undertaking a significant construction project to build dykes along the banks of River Nyando in an effort to mitigate the perennial flooding experienced in Ugenya Sub-location, Kadibo Sub-county, Kisumu County. This initiative, known as the West Kano Kanyagwal Flood Control Project, is being executed by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority to address the recurring flood challenges in the region.

According to Kenya News Agency, the project encompasses several villages, including Kanduru, Kanyangi, Kajowi, Wachiegwe, Kanyamuok, and Karagwel, all located in Kanyagwal Location. These areas, situated at a low altitude where River Nyando empties into Lake Victoria, are particularly vulnerable to flooding and back-flow from the lake.

Currently, the project is 48 percent complete and is designed to reclaim approximately 7,000 hectares of land, providing a foundation for the resettlement of evacuated flood victims. The development includes the construction of a 1.5-metre-high dyke stretching 3.5 kilometres, along with a footbridge, grassing, and tree planting to stabilize the reclaimed areas.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo highlighted that this ongoing project is part of broader flood control and mitigation efforts championed by President William Ruto's administration. Residents of Nyando Sub County have long suffered from recurrent flooding, which has led to the displacement of families, destruction of property, and disruption of livelihoods.

The most recent flooding event severely impacted 684 households, with 450 houses completely destroyed in Kanyagwal Location. Dr. Omollo emphasized that the government's approach is not only to address immediate flood risks but also to implement lasting solutions to protect lives and livelihoods through these interventions.

The completion of this project is expected to safeguard farmlands and human settlements from frequent flooding, facilitate the resettlement of displaced families, and protect critical public infrastructure such as schools, health centres, roads, markets, and places of worship in the severely affected villages.