Nyando residents in Kisumu County have petitioned the county government to provide them with chemicals to help eliminate bilharzia flukes in their rice fields.
The residents, who are also rice farmers, complained of attacks by the flukes and asked the county government to come to their rescue.
Nyando area is known for its rice production through the Ahero Irrigation Scheme with River Nyando being it main water source for irrigation which normally burst its banks flooding the area.
Kabonyo/Kanyagwal MCA Charles Aguko asked Governor Jack Ranguma to find for the farmers a lasting solution to the problem which affects farmers and as a result affects the rice growing and production.
Aguko said that most rice farmers depend on the rice for economic survival, “The county government should purchase chemicals that will kill the flukes to reduce the fear in the farmers.”
“The county government should ensure that the Bilharzia-causing flukes are completely done away with for the smooth growing and production of rice to continue.
His Wawidhi Ward counterpart Moses Ochele also challenged the County Executive for Health Dr. Elizabeth Ogaja to allocate funds towards the purchase and distribution of the chemicals to prevent the rice farmers from getting infected with Bilharzias.
At the same time, Minority leader Edwin Anayo asked the county government to market the rice grown in Kisumu to help boost the county’s economy.
The MCAs were speaking to this writer on Thursday at the County Assembly.