LOCAL NEWS – 18.03.2011 -By Zacheaus Otaba - People warned of floods

The rains that is experienced in the region is expected to continue for the next two to three months, though relatively lower than normal. The officer in charge of Lodwar meteorological station Mr. Joshua Manuari has warned residents of Turkana county, especially those who live near the foot steps of hills to be cautious.
Speaking in his office, Mr. Manuari said that though the rains will be below normal, some areas will receive heavier rains than others, there fore there is need for people to careful. He urged residents from potential soils to plant short rains crops like sorghum.
He said that farmers should buy tanks and large water containers for water harvesting.
However, he called for the government to be cautious of water bone diseases out break and malaria. At the same time effects of the rain is being experienced at its early stage, when one man escaped death after his vehicle fallen by a tree which was up rooted by the heavy rains. Mr. john Njagi who was doing his shopping in one of the shops in Lodwar town was caught in the scene immediately he intended to leave.
He added that he believes the engine of his vehicle is safe, though the board is demolished. However well wishers helped to remove the tree in order to get the vehicle out.

LOCAL NEWS – 13.05.2010 - FLOODS CAUSE HAVOC. By OKOTH PETER.

Everything seemed to come to a stand still as floods caused by heavy downpour caused havoc in various parts of the larger Turkana.

As usual Lodwar-Kitale highway was rendered impassable with Marich, Kakong and Kalemungorok being hot spots in Lodwar Town, River Kawalase burst its banks with floods displacin

g people who live along the river. Property was also washed away. Most of the vehicles plying between Lodwar-Kalokol and Lodwar-Kakuma-Lokichoggio could not move across the river and most of them have been stranded in Lodwar for days incurring losses. Business people who were transporting perishable goods to Kakuma and Lokichoggio are also counting their losses.

Last evening five people who attempted to cross the river were swept away by the raging waters. Apart from one who was rescued others who included a child drowned.

Confirming the incident today Central Divisional Police Division, deputy OCPD, John Omondi, said that the victims who are believed to be Sudanese, were traveling from Kakuma in Eldoret Express bus. They had been warned against attempting to cross the flooded river but ignored the warning. Up to the time of going on air none of the four bodies had been found.

Local News - 08.05.10 - Many Stranded as Marich Pass Bridge Breaks. By Peter Lokatur.

Many passengers using the Lodwar-Kitale road were left stranded for more than 16 hours at the banks of Marich river, after the heavy rains that are pounding many places in the country, caused overfilling of the river, breaking the Marich pass bridge. This is as a result of the rainy season that has seen most parts of West Pokot and Turkana South Districts affected. Speaking, to Radio Akicha, one of the victims, John Ewoi, who was travelling to Lodwar from Nairobi said, they arrived at Marich yesterday, some hours after 9.00 pm, and spent the whole night at banks of the river. He said they waited till today at midday when the level of water came down. They crossed the river with a lot of difficulties since the bridge was not in its proper position. Elsewhere at Kalemungorok and Kakongu rivers, the passengers were also delayed for so long following the overfilling of the rivers. This has happened a day after students from Turkana Girls Secondary, were delayed by an overflowing river Kospir. The passengers have blamed the government for not taking the matter of repairing the road seriously adding that Marich Pass bridge, Kalemngorok and Kakongu should be prioritised for repair.

Local News - 2nd May 2010 - BODY OF DROWNED GIRL STILL MISSING. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

A Four year girl, Mary Waithera. who is assumed to have drown in Turkwel River last Wednesday is still missing despite the fact that search team has been camping at the river. Speaking at a joint Small Christian Communities prayers held at the bereaved's family today, Mary Waithera, the grand-mother of the victim said, they got the sad news from neighbours that the girl had drowned in the river whereupon they rushed to the spot of the incident and started searching for her body. However, since wednesday, there has been no success. The sad incident has been reported to the police, and the family is still awaiting assistance from them. Even though the body of the girl has not been found to prove that she is indeed dead, the grand mother believes that her granddaughter is dead and appeals to the public to give any possible assistance in their effort to trace the body. The deceased was born in Lodwar in 2005 to Michael Epat and Monica Waithera.

Local News – 29.04.2010 - People are evacuating River Kawalase. By Emmanuel A. Ekuwom.

People in Soweto village who live along River Kawalase have started pulling down their houses in bid to escape the floods that are expected when it rains. However the area chief, Margaret Lomosingo, is against their move. She has instead urged them to be patient as the government makes arrangements to come to their rescue. It is feared that the ongoing rains may lead to death, displacement, loose of property, destruction of Schools, Hospitals and closing of business in Soweto and California. They are now appealing to the government and other charitable organisations to step in and save the community from the floods.

Local News – 26.04.10 - Families in Turkana North Displace by Floods. By OKOTH PETER.

The heavy rains that are pounding various parts of the country and the Larger Turkana have caused a lot of damage and suffering to many people. The Kitale Lodwar Highway has been a nightmare to many people. In Turkana North, on the other hand, more than 3,000 families who have been displaced by the deluge are faced with risk of contracting waterborne diseases due to unhygienic conditions among other problems related to floods. Taking to the Radio Akicha, Turkana North District Commissioner, Mr Obuo said the families were rendered homeless after rivers in Todonyang and Lokitaung areas flooded and broke their banks. He, further said the government and humanitarian organisations were on the ground and had distributed relief food and medicine to the affected families. At the same time more than 400 animals have been swept as floods continue to wrack havoc in the larger Turkana district.

LOCAL NEWS - 26.04.2010 - Kawalase River Floods Worrying. By EMMANUEL EKUWOM.

Residents of Soweto and California villages in Lodwar town have expressed their concern over river Kawalase that has of late been flooding and breaking its banks. These floods have also engulfed the grave yard that lies 50 metres from the river. Speaking to us today, one of Soweto residents, John Alemu said that the place will be completely destroyed by the floods if action is not taken to control the waters. Mr. Alemu complained that floods have completely destroyed some people's settlements. Other facilities that are likely to be destroyed by the floods, if action is not taken, are: schools, churches, a hospital and the entire business community of Soweto and California. The residents of Soweto and California have suggested that the government build gabions to help control flood at River Kawalase.

LOCAL NEWS – 16.04.2010 - RAINS CONTINUES CAUSING HAVOC. By OKOTH PETER.

The Lodwar-Kitale Highway was rendered impassable in various parts following the on-going rains in various parts of the country.

In Marich, where the road has been damaged for many days, several vehicles could be seen stranded.

Another spot which badly needs urgent repair is Kakong where short diversion has not helped at all.

The longer the damaged highway remains the more losses business fraternity continue suffering. Those who sell perishable goods in Lodwar, Kakuma and Lokichoggio are the ones who have suffered great losses when they go bad before arrival.

Transit Goods transporters have also complained of staying longer than they are supposed to because of the damage.