LAKE BARINGO DISPLACES 2000

 

More than 2,000 people have been displaced in Marigat district after Lake Baringo flooded into nearby homesteads as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in many parts of the county.

Learning has been paralised in 7 primary schools including Ng’ambo, Sintaan, Salabani, Loropil, Ilng’arua, Leswo and Sokotei.

Also affected are Ng’ambo and Salabani secondary schools whose classes are now full of water.

Ilchamus ward County Assembly Member Wesley Lekakimon called on the government and well-wishers to send humanitarian assistance to the affected people whom they say are living in deplorable conditions.

“We fear more rain could increase fatalities as the lake is almost covering Kokwo Island threatening a dispensary and a primary school. The people should be relocated to safer grounds before it is too late,” said Mr Lekakimon.

The heavy downpour has also destroyed more than 50 acres of food crops including maize, water melons, onions and tomatoes at Charatike Irrigation Scheme.

“The situation is so bad. Crocodiles and hippos are now swimming through the flood waters to homesteads endangering people’s lives,” said Mr Amos Olempaka, a youth leader in the area.

Marigat DC Saul Moywaywa urged residents in flood prone areas to move to higher grounds to avoid drowning deaths. “We’re lucky no cases of casualties have been reported so far. We are liaising with humanitarian agencies like Red Cross and World Vision for the affected families to be assisted,” said the administrator.

Mr Moywaywa said responding to the emergency has adversely been hampered as many roads leading to the affected areas have been damaged.

The heavy rains pounding Baringo County have also sparked landslides with more than 1,500 people already displaced from their homes in Ng’etmoi and Kibonjos locations in Baringo Central constituency.

Six schools in the area yet to be opened for their second term after some roads were cut off.

The worst hit areas include Kapkatit, Sangarau, Kibinjor, Kapkein, and Cheseber where two people cannot be accounted for following the heavy downpour.

Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi toured the affected areas accompanied by Red Cross and the District Disaster Management Committee team said that the county government was currently unable to cope with disasters and called on the central government to fast-track the disbursement of county funds.
SOURCE DAILY NATION