Over 300 Families Displaced as River Miriu Bursts Its Banks in Homa Bay

More than 300 families from Osodo village in Karachuonyo Constituency, Homa Bay County, have been displaced after River Miriu burst its banks following days of heavy rainfall.

The floods, which swept through the area on Sunday night, forced residents to flee their homes as water levels rose rapidly, destroying property and leaving many families stranded. The displaced households have sought temporary shelter at Osodo Primary School and nearby churches as they await humanitarian assistance.

Residents described the situation as devastating, with many losing household items, food supplies, and livestock in the sudden flooding. “We were caught unprepared. The water came in the middle of the night, and we only managed to save our children,” said one affected villager.

A multi-agency team led by the Kenya Red Cross visited the affected area during a fact-finding mission at Chwowe Beach. The team appealed to well-wishers and humanitarian organisations to provide food, clean water, and other essential supplies to support the displaced families.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga urged residents living in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground to prevent further losses and ensure their safety as heavy rains continue across the region. She assured that the county government is working with national agencies to coordinate relief efforts and assess the extent of the damage.

Meteorological reports indicate that the heavy rains are expected to persist in parts of Nyanza and western Kenya, raising concerns about further flooding and displacement in low-lying areas.