A 61 year old woman has been killed by the flooded Malakisi River in Busia County.
Residents said Christine Akok was swept away by flood waters after River Malakisi burst its banks.
She was a vegetable and fruit vendor in Malaba town.
She met her death while picking vegetables from her farm.
Residents told Hot News she was not aware the river had burst its banks.
Her body was found washed ashore on the banks of Malakisi River in Uganda.
The mother of seven, three girls and 4 boys was mourned by Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong , Devolution CS Eugene and Busia County top officials.
Wamalwa asked all 47 Governors to set aside two per cent of their total budgets for emergencies.
He said each County should be ready to address the effects that will be caused by floods.
He was speaking at Amoni in Teso North and Akiriamasi in Teso South where he condoled Akok’s family.
The CS also distributed relief food to affected people.
Wamalwa said counties must be extra cautious with the unpredictable weather patterns.
“Experts have predicted that floods and droughts will be a common phenomenon in Kenya year in year out; It is important for counties to take precaution and have a special fund to carter for such emergencies,” he said,
He said the national government will join forces with county governments to avail the necessary support when they encounter drought or floods.
The CS said apart from relief food there, is need to seek a permanent solution to the perpetual floods situation in Teso North and Teso South Sub Counties.
“The National Government will support Busia County Government in construction of dykes in the Teso region; it’s regrettable that many farmers have had their crops and homes destroyed by the raging floods,” he said.
Ojaamong said his government will factor in the 2019-2020 budget money for construction of dykes in the affected areas in addition to what the national government will contribute.
He said some of the funds the county will get through the Kenya Devolution Support Programme this year will also be channeled towards construction of dykes.
“ The Amoni and Akiriamas areas along River Malakisi and Omiriai are leading producers of vegetables and fruits that feed the entire county; we need to control floods to enable affected farmers expand their agricultural production,” he said.
Amukura West MCA Abiud Ochillangole and his Malaba Central counterpart Bernard Papa said it’s unfair to categorize residents from their ward as famine stricken because of a problem that can be solved once and for all with construction of dykes.