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The government has announced plans to construct dykes along River Nyando to mitigate floods in Nyando, Muhoroni and Kadibo sub-counties.

Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asals), and Regional Development Beatrice Askul said the ministry has tasked Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) to undertake the project.

The dykes will extend to flood-prone villages, including Kanyamtenda, Sidho-Kore, Katundu and Obiayo.

Askul spoke at Kogalo Evacuation Centre, Ombeyi location, Muhoroni Sub-County on Wednesday during distributing of food to flood victims.

She outlined additional measures to control flooding, including desilting the Miriu, Achuodho, and Ombeyi Rivers to prevent water overflow into nearby villages.

Through a multi-sectoral approach, she said, all the relevant ministries have been engaged in pooling resources for sustainable flood management solutions.

“The Koru-Soin Dam construction project is under the Ministry of Water. My ministry will concentrate on building dykes and drilling emergency boreholes to supply water for domestic use to the affected households,” she stated.

Askul pledged that funds would be allocated in the next supplementary budget to start the projects within two to three months.

During the visit which also extended to Nyamasao and Ombaka, Nyando Sub-County, Askul was accompanied by Asals and Regional and Development Principal Secretary (Harsama Kello, LBDA Managing Director Wycliffe Ochiaga and Nyando MP Jared Okello.

Askul reassured rice farmers in the region of government support in marketing their crops.