Nyando: Residents of Nyando and Kadibo Sub-counties in Kisumu County are taking proactive measures in addressing persistent flooding that has plagued the community for many years by digging drainage channels. The community-led initiative done in partnership with the Victoria Institute for Research on Environment and Development (VIRED) and the local Disaster Management Committee aims to redirect excess water during the rainy season into Lake Victoria away from their homes and farmland.
According to Kenya News Agency, the community, which is largely composed of farmers, has long suffered recurring losses whenever it rained, as River Nyando frequently overflows its banks, submerging homesteads and agricultural land. Kochieng’ West Location Disaster Risk Management Committee Chairperson George Otieno Obop observed that the community-driven disaster prevention and resilience approach has significantly reduced the impact of floods in the area.
Obop called on the government’s intervention to facilitate the construction of flood control infrastructure such as dykes, canals, and desilting of River Nyando to eradicate perennial flooding in the area. He emphasized the need for additional infrastructure to support farming and ensure food security during droughts.
The ongoing flood control initiative supported through a grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) includes constructing water channels, creating water-retention ponds, and reviving river channels by planting bamboo trees. Prof. Philip Raburu, an Environmentalist and Aquatic Scientist from the University of Eldoret, noted that Nyando Basin experiences two extreme climatic conditions comprising of drought and floods.
Prof. Raburu explained that the flooding in Nyando region results from runoff coming from the highlands. He highlighted the role of deforestation in exacerbating flooding, emphasizing the need for sufficient vegetation to facilitate water seeping into the ground, thus reducing the water volume flowing downstream.
The launch of the flood mitigation campaign has brought hope, unity, and practical change to the local communities. The campaign, designed and coordinated by VIRED, targets over 500 households to address recurrent flooding, food insecurity, and climate challenges. Prof. Raburu, also the founding Director of VIRED, stressed the importance of collective effort from various stakeholders to reduce flood risk and increase well-being.
Through a collaborative spirit, the initiative has opened at least 100 kilometers of water channels in Kobura Ward, Nyando Constituency, transforming previously flooded areas into viable agricultural land. The initiative empowers residents to take ownership of their environment, with VIRED compensating their efforts through a ‘food for work’ program.
Water pans created across the region act as natural reservoirs to collect and store rainwater for use during dry seasons. The planting of bamboo seedlings along riverbanks aims to stabilize the riverbanks and reduce flood risks. Beyond physical interventions, VIRED and its partners emphasize education and awareness, training women and youth in climate-smart agriculture to improve livelihoods.
Aggrey Aluso, Executive Director of the Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA), emphasized the significance of community-led initiatives in building resilience. The partnership between VIRED, government institutions, and the residents of Nyando and Kadibo Sub-counties stands as a model for community-driven disaster prevention and resilience.
