The March, 2020 flash floods left several crop gardens flooded (Photo by Solomon Okabo)
Kwania district has launched a search for 30 tons of relief food disbursed by the Office of the Prime Minister for distribution to flood victims. In March 2020, floods displaced over 1,800 families from Nambieso and Chawente sub-counties when Lake Kwania burst its bank.
It submerged houses and destroyed properties worth millions of shillings. The OPM subsequently released 20,000 kilograms of maize flour and 10,000 kilograms of beans to help the flood victims. On February 25, 2022, the OPM tasked Kwania Chief Administrative Officer- CAO to account for the relief food.
However, the district officials say that they only received 100 bags of beans, 200 bags of maize flour, 500 pieces of blankets and 300 pieces of tarpaulins from the OPM, which they distributed to 700 flood victims in the district.
Geoffrey Alex Ogwal, the Kwania district LC V chairperson, says that he was shocked to receive a copy of the letter from OPM demanding accountability for the second batch of the relief food.
Francis Opolot, the Kwania Chief Administrative Officer-CAO, says that they have launched a search for the 30 tons of the food items, which he suspects could have gone into the wrong hands.
Kenny Auma, the Kwania District Woman Member of Parliament has asked the district leadership to coordinate with the area MPs to follow up the matter with the office of the OPM.
Patrick Onyum Okwang, the Atongtidi sub-county LC III chairman has asked the government to extend the irrigation system in the area to address the challenge of famine being experienced by the flood victims.
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