Water pans offer lifeline to flood-hit regions
Ronald Ngala, a fisherman and resident of Odega village in Kisumu County, during the interview on September 19, 2024. He is part of the team that rescues residents affected by flooding.
In a bid to address the recurring flood disasters that displace thousands of residents in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties, a charity has rolled out a ground-breaking initiative that could provide lasting relief to vulnerable communities.
Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) has constructed 46 water pans to tackle the challenges posed by flash floods in the flood-prone areas. They are distributed in the most affected regions, including Seme, Nyando, Muhoroni and Nyakach in Kisumu, and Karachuonyo, Kabondo Kasipul and Kasipul sub counties in Homa Bay County.
“Water pans are simple yet effective solutions to mitigate floods, protect lives, safeguard crops and preserve infrastructure,” said Shofco founder and CEO Kennedy Odede in Awasi, Nyando sub-county.
Instead of fully relying on national and county governments, Mr Odede said collective action is crucial for sustainable solutions.
“We must come together to tackle this issue. Water pans are one such solution that can help prevent the kind of destruction we’ve seen for so long,” he said.
The water pans, which occupy about half an acre each, are capable of retaining up to 200,000 cubic metres of water.
“Not only do they help control floods, but they also contribute to local resilience by providing water during dry spells,” said Mr Odede.
While emphasising the need to develop a culture of rainwater harvesting, he said it does not make sense for residents to complain about flash floods and then a dry spell a few months later.
Seme MP James Nyikal commended Shofco for the contribution to dealing with the flooding menace.
“With these water pans, Shofco is not only addressing the immediate threat of flooding, but also empowering communities to be more self-reliant and resilient in the face of climate change,” Dr Nyikal said.
He pointed out that the initiative is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the lasting change that can come when local needs are met with innovative, sustainable interventions.
Mr Odede explained that Shofco has prioritised community involvement, from site selection to maintenance, of the water pans.
