Heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorms and strong winds left behind a trail of destruction across Karateng in Kisumu County.
The farmers, especially small scale farmers say that the downpour destroyed more than 50% of the crops with maize being the most affected.
Speaking on Wednesday in the area, the farmers said such a scenario has never been witnessed in the area and it got many unawares.
“I have lived in this area for long and witnessed heavy rainfall, but causing such destruction is something that has never been experienced. Nobody was prepared for such a thing,” lamented George Murina, a maize farmer in the area.
The farmers do not know if they will be able to recover the crops which they depend on for survival.
“I have zero hopes that my maize will recover. Maybe the beans can, so I will just have to wait and see what happens before I come up with the best solution,” said Margret Akiyo.
The farmers were expecting a bumper harvest this season considering that they planted immediately the April rainfall started and it has been distributed equally throughout the period.
A majority of the farmers do not have the means of planting afresh due to lack of funds.
They are calling on the Kisumu County government to come in and assist them get back on their feet.