On a quiet Sunday evening in late March 2026, heavy rains that had been falling steadily across Kisumu County turned into a nightmare for residents of Kotunga Area in Kajulu Ward, Kisumu East Sub-County.
What began as a downpour rapidly escalated into flash floods that swept through homes, displacing over 200 families more than 1,200 people in the Wathorego Sub Location alone.
Kotunga, a low-lying village long known for its vulnerability to seasonal flooding, was once again devastated. Poor drainage systems, combined with the area’s terrain and water-retaining soil, allowed floodwaters to linger and destroy everything in their path.
Homes were submerged, belongings washed away, and farmlands ruined, leaving families with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Local residents described scenes of chaos and heartbreak. Screams and tears filled the air as raging waters invaded houses without warning.
One 48-year-old woman, among those hardest hit, told reporters she had lost nearly everything. “I have nowhere else to go,” she said, her voice breaking as she surveyed the ruins of her home.
Another mother echoed the despair, clutching her children while standing in ankle-deep water. Women and children have borne the brunt of the crisis, with many now sheltering in makeshift camps or with relatives.
This latest disaster is part of a broader wave of flooding across Kenya that has claimed dozens of lives and displaced thousands.
In Kisumu County alone, rivers like the Nyando and others burst their banks, affecting multiple sub-counties.
In Kotunga and surrounding areas of Kisumu East and Central, officials estimate more than 250 households impacted, with hundreds of acres of crops destroyed.
For many families in Kotunga, the floods are not a one-off event but a recurring nightmare. “Every rainy season we go through this,” one resident lamented.
The village’s location near Lake Victoria and its inadequate infrastructure have left communities exposed year after year, despite repeated calls for better drainage and flood barriers.
Government and humanitarian agencies have begun responding. Evacuation efforts are underway, with some families ferried to safety by boat.
Relief supplies including food, blankets, and medical aid are being distributed, but residents say the response has been slow.
Local leaders are urging the national government to prioritize long-term solutions, such as improved drainage systems and relocation programs for the most vulnerable.
As floodwaters slowly recede, the human cost remains stark. Families who once farmed maize, vegetables, and other crops now face food insecurity and the loss of livelihoods.
Children’s education has been disrupted, with some schools temporarily closed or used as evacuation centers.
In Kotunga village, the displaced are not just statistics, they are mothers, fathers, farmers, and children whose lives have been upended overnight.
Their resilience shines through even in the face of adversity, but the need for urgent support and sustainable flood management is clear.
As Kenya grapples with the wider impacts of changing weather patterns, the voices from Kotunga serve as a urgent call for action.
