This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
On Wednesday night, Kisumu County was hit by heavy rains that left hundreds of residents trapped in their homes.
The worst affected area was Nyamasaria in Kolwa East ward, where the overflow from River Auji caused significant destruction.
According to eyewitnesses, homes, shops, and petrol stations were marooned by water, with several people stranded.
Residents in Mama Moraa area of Nyamasaria were seen wading through the water, calling for emergency response to prevent any loss of life.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Kibos area of Kisumu East, where several houses were marooned due to the rain, with water penetrating inside most houses.
As of the time of reporting, most of the flood victims in the affected areas were yet to be rescued, with concerns that they may not receive necessary assistance at public hospitals in the county due to a doctors' strike.
The Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of rains and thunderstorms in the Lake Victoria Basin, including Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori, until Sunday.
It has rained cats and dogs in Kisumu. Most houses are flooded. Is this the utamaduni day we ought to have celebrated? pic.twitter.com/gu3aPNWRjb — NANCY OKUTAH (@nancyokutah) December 26, 2019
