About 68 families from Kewa and Lukhuna villages in Marakusi sub – location, Lugari Sub County have sent a distress call to the government and well wishers to come to their aid after been marooned by flood waters following the heavy rains witnessed in the area.
The families with an estimated population of over 400 people living on the 120 acres swampy land have been forced to abandon their homesteads and move out to safer areas fearing an epidemic as a result of wetness and domestic utilization of contaminated water especiallyafter both the bore holes and pit latrines flooded by water.
One of the victims said that since they started living in the area over 20 years ago they have never witnessed such situation “We have not witnessed this kind of episode since we inhabited this 120 acre strip several years ago”, he lamented
Led by their chairman Michael Mulati and secretary Joseph Kakai the victims said losses estimated to run into millions of shillings has been seen with crops and household items being swept every away.
“The condition is pathetic and requires a quick intervention to save these people, some have been stuck in the uncompromising conditions while others are camping in open areas without shelter and food”, said Kakai.
They lamented that despite presenting their predicament to both the national and county government official none of them has visited the area to assess the situation.
“We have written and communicated to our administrator right away from the assistant chief, chief, assistant commissioner as well as the deputy county commissioner and even the ward, sub county and county administrators but none of the leaders has bothered to come to the ground and see the situation,” they lamented.
The families who are among the 3,000 squatters who were allocated forest land in Mautuma central schemes say they can’t meet the expense of paying rents and thus majority of them have been forced to persevere the situation.
Some of the victims called on the government to give them an alternative land and use the current area for development of a dam that will assist Lugari residents during dry seasons.
“The situation here is totally unbearable we can’t sleep due to dampness we can’t cook because trying to light fire is just another hell” said a resident adding that they won’t care being taken away from the area so long as they get a safer place.
The families have appealed to government and other well wishers to step in and assist them with short term solution like dig trenches as they work on long term solution.
