The county government of Nyamira has been urged to initiate a program that will see trenches and gabions dug in Raitigo settlement scheme to combat destruction of crops by heavy rains.
Speaking on Thursday during a public baraza, the residents led by Peter Mosoku lamented that the county government was not being proactive by helping them fight the dangers posed by El Nino rains.
According to them, several families have seen their crops swept away to nearby streams due to improper drainage systems in the settlement scheme.
“This is the heart of Nyamira's economy and it’s really disappointing that the county has not responded to help us save our crops from being swept away by the heavy floods. We need gabions and terraces put in nearby roads and along our farms to help us minimise the effects,” Mosoku said.
They blamed the county government for slow response despite having reported the matter through area MCA Jackson Mogusu.
“They (county government) are said to have set aside money to deal with El Nino effects but they are taking long to respond to our pleas. We have reached the MCA and he confirmed having reported to disaster management committee that was set by governor John Nyagarama,” he added.
Mogusu who spoke on phone blamed the county government on the delay and urged officials responsible to deal with the issue expeditiously.
“It’s disappointing that nothing has been done even after reporting the matter. The county government should take responsibility and do its part as soon as possible. We don’t want to see scenarios of young crops being swept away yet we had set aside money to avert such incidents,” Mogusu said.