Traders affected as Lake Victoria flood waters fill popular Kisumu beach hotels
Workers at one of the eateries at the popular Lwang’ni Beach in Kisumu go on with their work on May 24, 2016 despite the premises being flooded following the recent rise in water levels in Lake Victoria. Traders fear their hotels may collapse as the floods continue to weaken the walls. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Most eateries have been closed while the number of visitors to local hotels have gone down drastically due to the floods.
- Some business people fear their hotels may collapse as the floods continue to weaken the walls.
- Ms Linda Ochieng is afraid she will not be able to raise fees for her children and money for her family’s upkeep.
- Mr Patrick Sile, a resident said they have to walk through the flood waters from one place to another because they have no alternative.
Floods due to rising water levels in Lake Victoria have affected fish and hotel business at Lwang’ni Beach.
Most eateries have been closed while the number of visitors to local hotels have gone down drastically due to the floods.
Parking lots at hotels and other premises are flooded and there are fear that the water will soon find its way inside the hotels unless necessary measures are taken.
Some business people fear their hotels may collapse as the floods continue to weaken the walls.
Ms Linda Ochieng, a member of Ngege Self-Help Group that buys fish in Busia County and sell in Lwang’ni, said life has never been the same again since the lake broke its banks.
“I would sell up to 80 fish in a day but that was before floods rocked this area. I have since lost customers. I am now selling 20 or less fish in a day these days,” said Ms Achieng, a hotel owner.
Ms Eunice Akatch, a casual worker, said: “This area is not fit to live in. We have asked the county government to help us deal with the water otherwise, it will cover the whole area.”
BUSINESSES COLLAPSING
She is afraid she will not be able to raise fees for her children and money for her family’s upkeep.
“Businesses are collapsing because it is not easy to convince a client to come here.
“I could make close to Sh8,000 in a day but that has since reduced to Sh7,000.
“I was even diagnosed with pneumonia and that worries me,” said Mr Akatch.
Mr Patrick Sile, a resident said they have to walk through the flood waters from one place to another because they have no alternative.
He said locals fear for their health, especially because many can’t afford treatment.
“If there is a way the county government can help us, we will really appreciate because most of us here depend on fish business for survival,” said Mr Sile.
He added: “It is not easy having to wade through the stagnant water every day. The Kenya Medical Research Institute used to supply us with drugs but stocks have since run out.”
Lwang’ni is best known for its Tilapia and attracts fish lovers from across the country.
