Homa bay: A County official has put on notice owners of illegal structures built on drainages in Homa Bay town. Homa Bay Municipal Manager Sigar Agumba stated that they will soon demolish all illegal structures built on the town’s drainages, which have been a significant cause of frequent flooding in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, Agumba emphasized the town’s vision of becoming a city by 2035, which he believes will be unachievable if illegal structures continue to emerge. He highlighted the importance of removing these obstructions to facilitate better drainage and mitigate flooding.
Agumba mentioned that the board has sought opinions from residents and developed a people-led adaptation spatial plan. They have gathered insights from residents by leveraging indigenous knowledge on climate risk profiles, which will guide future development. In addition to this, scientific systems will be incorporated to address climate risks effectively.
To further this effort, a clean-up exercise has been included as part of the budget, with plans to receive support from other development partners. Agumba noted that they have established modalities for monthly clean-up exercises to ensure the drainages are kept clear.
Homa Bay Sub County Administrator Nicholas Ayieta highlighted the widespread impact of climate change and urged residents to adopt various mitigation measures. He reiterated the county government’s commitment to maintaining a clean town environment to foster business and promote good health. Ayieta suggested roof catchment water harvesting as a strategy to manage rainwater and reduce flooding in the town.
