Over twenty families from Lwandeti location in Matete, Kakamega County who were rendered homeless after their homes were destroyed by heavy rains last month are still appealing for help from the national and Kakamega County governments.
The families from Mwilolo, Marrum and Lunywenywe villages whose houses iron sheets were completely torn by the heavy hailstorms forcing them to spent chilly nights outside have said they have never received any assistance following the October 3rd, 2019 incident.
They said it was regrettable even the local leaders were less concerned by their plight saying about two months since the tragedy struck not even single leader has visited the ground to assess the situation. “Not even our Lwandeti ward MCA John Ngome has reached this place,” they said.
70-year-old woman Timina Lusike, who is ailing, said hailstones left the situation unbearable after punching bigger hole into the iron sheets exposing her to harsh condition and despite being injured in the incident she has never received any medical attention due to lack of money.
The granny has now been forced to seek refuge in her grandson’s small grass thatched house.
The situation is the same for 86-year-old Veronica Nakhukhwami who has been left hopeless after her house was also destroyed.
A spot check in the villages has revealed that some of youths whose houses were destroyed have deserted them after being unable to buy new irons sheets and they have instead left the villages to seek casual jobs in towns hoping to get money that will enable them rebuild their houses.
“My nephew Ronald Wawire is among the youths who have left to look for jobs in Nairobi because he really struggled to put up this house and after it was destroyed he couldn’t raise any money to purchase iron sheets and also he couldn’t continue leaving in this structure in its state,” said Mr. Francis Wafula.
The residents whose iron sheets on top of their houses were left in bad conditions opted to sell them to the scrap metal brokers who were buying them at a throw away price of Kshs 10 per kilogram.
Expressing their disappointment, the victims said their counterpart from across Bungoma who were also affected by the same hailstorm had already received assistance after their leaders held a fund drive and donated iron sheets to the affected families. “Our neighbours from Lwile, Furoi, Nabuyole and Lukusi villages across in the neighbouring Bungoma County were also affected by the same hailstorm, leaders from Bungoma came to their aid, held a harambee and bought them iron sheets and other basics but for us in Kakamega we have not received anything ,” said Miss Metrine Nanyama.
Apart from destroying houses tens of residents were left with injuries with farmers also counting loses after crops on their farms were completely destroyed and dozens of livestock killed by the hailstones
The victims are still sending a passionate appeal to both the County government of Kakamega and the national government and other well wishers to come to their aid and help them with basic needs besides assisting them rebuild their houses.
