MIGORI – Residents in flood-prone areas of Migori County have been urged to move to safer locations amidst heavy rains in the region. The county is among 38 others declared by the state to be at an ‘alarm stage’ due to the current heavy downpours across Kenya.

According to Kenya News Agency, Naphtali Adhoch, a Migori County Meteorological Service official, reported heavy rainfall in the county, except for the Kuria Region, which has seen less than 500 mm of rain. Uriri Sub County experienced the heaviest rainfall, approximately 700 mm, leading to the swelling of River Oyani.

Migori County Secretary Oscar Olima assured residents of the county’s preparedness for emergencies, advising those along Rivers Migori, Oyani, and Kuja to relocate to higher ground. Earlier this month, affected households in Konyango, Kabuto, and Modi villages received relief supplies from the County Government.

Kevin Ondieki, a Kenya Red Cross Society official in Migori, noted that flooding primarily affected Nyatike Sub County, impacting around 70 households, equivalent to 413 individuals.

David Gitonga, the Migori County Commissioner, emphasized the ongoing assessment of the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme and the county’s readiness for government assistance. The Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme has also initiated measures to direct excess water to Lake Victoria, aiming to prevent potential floods in the lower Nyatike area.