Budalangi Residents Brace for El Niño as River Nzoia Dykes Offer Hope Against Floods

As warnings about the impending El Niño rains intensify, residents of Budalangi in Busia County are preparing for the season with a renewed sense of hope. This change comes after the government’s construction of secondary dykes along River Nzoia, which has helped reclaim lands previously devastated by flooding.

For decades, the lowlands of Budalangi suffered severe floods when River Nzoia overflowed, causing homes to be submerged, livelihoods destroyed, and lives lost. However, since 2025, the newly built dykes have mitigated these risks, allowing farmers like Kevin Okumu and his family to till and plant crops on land once underwater.

Positive Impact of Flood Control Measures

• Farmers now cultivate maize, beans, and sweet potatoes on rehabilitated soils.
• The dykes have helped protect farmlands from the river’s rising waters, fostering agricultural productivity.
• Communities are reclaiming fertile land, signaling a shift from fear to optimism during the rainy season.

Despite this progress, some areas remain vulnerable. Elderly residents like 81-year-old Josephine Ouma, who lost her home and farmland in the 2020 floods, continue to live in temporary shelters and face anxiety over potential new floods.

Calls for Expanded Flood Mitigation

• Local residents are urging authorities to build additional dykes and desilt streams to improve water flow.
• There is concern over clogged waterways that have not been cleared for decades, exacerbating flood risks.
• Time is critical as the El Niño rains threaten to bring heavy flooding once again.

While the River Nzoia currently flows steadily behind the protective dykes, the community remains vigilant. The experience of past floods has instilled both caution and resilience in Budalangi’s residents, who hope that ongoing interventions will safeguard their homes and livelihoods before the rains fully arrive.