A group of villagers are cashing in handsomely by helping stranded villagers cross the flooded river Makindu in Muhoroni, Kisumu County, as heavy rains continue pounding the area.
Most affected are pupils who are forced to cross the river to and from school, some of whom are taken across by their parents and the remaining by villagers who are using the situation to earn.
Pupils of Okwach Primary School are the worst hit, with a Sh8 million bridge whose construction stalled in 2015 being their only hope, but which remains useless due to its incomplete state.
George Ouma, one of the persons helping the children cross the river at a charge says that proper timing is what earns them more. Ouma adds that they charge Sh50 per person.
“We have to time when the children have been released to go for lunch and also in the evening to help them cross,” he is quoted by the Standard.
Area locals have called upon the relevant authorities to intervene, only a few days after a woman was swept away.
Peter Sawo, a teacher at the school says that at times the pupils miss school as a result of the situation, adding that at times teachwrs are forced to intervene in taking the children across.
“It pains me whenever several pupils miss lessons because they cannot cross the river to attend school. I feel bad about it and that is why I have to change my clothes and help them cross the river,” says the tutor.
Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo told the paper on Sunday that his office has written to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority with an intention of having a lasting remedy introduced in the area.
Muhoroni is not new to floods, and has also previously reported such cases as a result of River Nyando breaking its banks.