A peculiar phenomenon has gripped Busia District and parts of Kenya, leaving residents puzzled and concerned. On a Saturday morning, a dark-hued rain descended upon the area, prompting speculation and fear among the local populace.
In an interview with local press, Ms. Winnie Kakai, a resident of Sofia Village, expressed her concern, suggesting that the occurrence might be an ominous sign. She drew parallels with biblical references to red water, stating, “with this black rain, I am getting worried that the end of the world is near.” Similarly, Mr. Francis Magambo of Marachi Village, aged 67, remarked that this was the first time he had witnessed such an event. Placing containers outside during the rain, he discovered that the collected water was unusually dark. Even after washing the containers, the water retained its dark hue. Fellow resident Ms. Aisha Kebiralo shared a similar experience, initially attributing the dark color to a dirty roof, only to find that neighbors faced the same predicament.
Residents from various villages voiced their concerns about the anomalous weather. Moses Simiyu of Mugungu Village noted the abnormality of receiving black rain during the typically dry month of January. Suleiman Benjura, residing on Customs Road, expressed fear and uncertainty about the implications for crops, animals, and people who might have come into contact with the peculiar rain. In Solo Village, Mr. Yahaya Kamba pondered the cause of this unusual weather event.
Addressing the possible explanations, Mr. Kamba mentioned scientists’ warnings about such rains resulting from pollution from factories, a factor seemingly absent in Busia. However, the mysterious “black rain” was not limited to Uganda alone; it also affected parts of Kenya. Pamela Acheng, a Kenyan national in Busia County, reported that her neighbors, both in Kenya and Uganda, shared the same grievance.
Amidst the perplexity, questions about the cause of this phenomenon arose. Ms. Acheng pondered whether it was a divine sign or a consequence of environmental pollution. Mr. Jimmy Ngolobe, the Busia District environment officer, shed light on the situation, suggesting that the dark rains might indeed be a result of mass pollution of the atmosphere.
“Ideally, rainwater is supposed to be colorless and clear; therefore, any change in color points to pollution of the atmosphere,” Mr. Ngolobe explained. He further elaborated that water, acting as a solvent, can dissolve soluble particles suspended in the atmosphere due to pollution, resulting in a change in the color of rainwater. Despite these insights, Mr. Ngolobe emphasized the need for environmental laboratory tests on the black rainwater before drawing any conclusive judgments. The community, now awaiting further investigations, remains on edge, grappling with the uncertainty surrounding this unusual meteorological event.
