Residents of the flood-prone Kano plains in Kisumu County are beginning to see hope after years of devastating floods, following the implementation of a major government flood mitigation project aimed at protecting lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
For decades, communities in the area have endured repeated flooding caused by River Nyando overflowing its banks and backflows from Lake Victoria, leaving homes, farms, schools and public facilities submerged. The recurring disasters displaced families, destroyed crops and disrupted economic activities, prompting frequent appeals for government intervention.
The Government, through the National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority (NWHSA), is implementing the West Kano–Kanyagwal Flood Control Project in Kadibo Sub-county to provide a long-term solution to the perennial flooding.
The project seeks to reclaim nearly 7,000 hectares of flood-affected land through the construction of a 3.5-kilometre flood protection dyke, rehabilitation of drainage systems, installation of high-capacity pumping infrastructure and environmental restoration through extensive grassing and tree planting. A community footbridge has also been built to ensure uninterrupted movement for residents during the rainy season.
The intervention is protecting the 2,230-acre West Kano Irrigation Scheme, securing the livelihoods of nearly 1,000 farmers who have suffered repeated crop losses due to floods. It is also enabling families displaced by past disasters to return and rebuild permanent homes after years spent in temporary camps.
Public institutions and essential services are expected to benefit significantly from the project. Schools, health facilities, markets, roads and places of worship in vulnerable villages including Kanduru, Kajowi, Wachiegwe and Karagwel are now receiving enhanced protection from floodwaters.
The flood control initiative also complements broader Blue Economy investments within the Lake Victoria Basin by linking with the upstream Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) dyke system. It further safeguards strategic facilities such as the Kabonyo Kanyagwal Fisheries Centre.
To ensure the long-term success of the project, the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is coordinating disaster preparedness programmes, community awareness campaigns and emergency response mechanisms across flood-prone areas. The department is working alongside local leaders and national agencies to strengthen community resilience against future climate-related disasters.
The project is expected to enhance agricultural productivity, improve public safety and reduce the social and economic losses associated with recurring floods, marking a significant step towards sustainable flood management in the Kano plains.
Read:Â Govt Accelerates Construction of West Kano Flood Control Project in Kisumu
>>>Â Govt Intensifies Emergency Response After Deadly Floods Hit Several Counties
Leave a comment