By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, July 14, 2026 - Kisumu Central MP Dr Joshua Oron has stepped up efforts to end years of destructive flooding after conducting an impromptu inspection of Rivers Nyamasaria and Wigwa ahead of the second phase of gabion construction and the reopening of key dykes in one of the city's most flood-prone zones.
The inspection focused on interventions expected to shield St Peter's Nanga Secondary School, St Vitalis Nanga Comprehensive School, Nanga Catholic Church, Kapuothe Village and sections of Dunga Village, communities that have borne the brunt of overflowing rivers whenever heavy rains pound Kisumu.
For decades, seasonal floods from the Nyamasaria and Wigwa rivers have left a trail of destruction across the low-lying settlements, sweeping through homes, schools, churches and farms. Families have repeatedly been displaced, learning disrupted, crops destroyed and access roads cut off as swollen waters inundated villages, forcing residents to rebuild their lives after almost every rainy season.
The latest inspection marks a crucial step towards implementing Phase Two of the flood mitigation programme, which combines the construction of gabions with the rehabilitation and opening of dykes to strengthen riverbanks, improve water flow and reduce the risk of rivers bursting their banks.
Dr Oron said the project was aimed at replacing decades of emergency responses with a permanent engineering solution capable of protecting lives, livelihoods and public institutions.
"For many years, our people have lived with uncertainty every time the skies darkened. Homes would be submerged, children would miss school, farms would be destroyed and businesses brought to a standstill," he said.
"During the 2022 election campaign, I made a commitment that we would pursue a lasting solution rather than continue reacting after every flood disaster. We are now implementing that promise through carefully planned engineering works that will restore confidence among our people."
He said the second phase would involve expanding gabion protection along vulnerable sections of the rivers while reopening and reinforcing dykes to increase the rivers' carrying capacity and direct excess water safely away from residential areas.
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"Our objective is to stabilise the riverbanks, minimise erosion and create proper drainage channels that can withstand heavy rainfall. These interventions are designed not only to control flooding today but to protect future generations from recurring disasters," Dr Oron said.
He added that the project would safeguard critical public institutions and preserve agricultural land that has remained vulnerable to seasonal inundation.
"When schools remain accessible throughout the year, children can learn without interruption. When farms are protected, families can produce food and earn a living. When homes are secure, communities can invest and plan for the future without the constant fear of displacement," he said.
Civil engineers regard gabions as among the most effective flood-control structures in areas vulnerable to riverbank erosion. Constructed from wire mesh baskets filled with stones, they absorb the force of flowing water, reinforce riverbanks and prevent soil from being washed away. Together with well-designed dykes, they help channel floodwaters, reduce pressure on riverbanks and protect nearby settlements from overflowing rivers.
Residents of Kapuothe and neighbouring villages have long argued that temporary relief measures offered little protection against increasingly intense rainfall linked to changing weather patterns. They have repeatedly called for permanent flood-control infrastructure capable of withstanding severe storms.
The planned works therefore represent more than a routine infrastructure project. They are expected to improve public safety, protect educational institutions and places of worship, secure agricultural production and reduce economic losses that have for years accompanied every major rainy season in Kisumu Central.
As technical preparations gather pace, the flood mitigation programme is emerging as one of the constituency's flagship climate resilience projects, reflecting a broader shift towards long-term adaptation measures in a region where recurring floods have become an increasingly costly reality.