This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Trans Nzoia farmers are facing a dire situation as heavy rains continue to destroy their crops, threatening a food shortage in the region.
According to the Red Cross, at least 6000 acres of farm land have been washed away during the flooding, leaving farmers counting losses.
Maize farmers in the area were full of hope before the heavy downpour, with a bumper harvest on the verge of becoming a reality. However, the rains have ruined their dreams, with many farmers lamenting the loss of their crops.
"I have lost more than 15 acres of land and over 16 bags of maize. It's a huge loss for us," said Moses Simiyu, a farmer in Saboti.
Most of the farmers in the area grow maize on a large scale and heavily depend on mechanized harvesting. However, the rains have hampered the use of tractors, forcing them to turn to labor-intensive methods, which have come with their own short-comings.
"We are waiting for the rains to subside so that we can continue harvesting. But the truth is that the maize has been ruined," said Philip Boit, a farmer in Cherang'any.
"We don't have a store, we don't have dryers in Trans Nzoia, and the rice that was harvested has been taken to Moi Bridge in Uasin Gishu. We are left with nothing but the crops that have been ruined," said Simiyu.
While experts are predicting tough times ahead, the government seems aware that the cycle could turn around fast.
"This is a terrible new normal. We have had drought and floods in the same year," said Eugene Wamwala, the CS for Devolution.
In Gakonya village in Kiharu, Murang'a County, rice farmers are feeling the brunt of the heavy rains. Their crop, which was to be harvested, is now submerged.
"This rice will be a huge loss if it's not harvested on time. It will start to rot and will be of no use," said Joel Irungu, a farmer in Kiharu.
"I had come to harvest the rice, but I found that the fields were flooded," said Mercy Wambui, a rice farmer in Kiharu.
The Meteorological department maintains that the downpour could go on until the end of December.
