Families displaced as floods cause h***c in Kitengela

Tens of families in Kitengela in Kajiado County have been displaced by floods following a heavy downpour in the area.

Devastated families in the Noonkopir area were forced to spend the night in the cold as tension remained high over more displacement as the rains continued.

Desperate victims narrated tales of despair and confusion as their houses were not habitable, citing financial constraints to facilitate their relocation to other safer houses.

"We were shocked when suddenly a flowing river emerged along our houses at 10 p.m. on Friday. We had no choice but to just run for our safety on the high ground.

"Our houses and households were submerged. We do not know what next for us since the houses are not habitable and we have no money to pay for other rental houses," George Wafula said.

Residents' outcry

Locals say they have learned that the houses are built on a river bed, with mother nature's wrath manifesting, leaving them helpless.

They now fear an outbreak of water-borne diseases and increased respiratory complications if urgent measures are not put in place.

They further say poor drainage in the area has worsened the situation.

"As locals, we have raised a concern over clogged drainages in this area for a long time with no help forthcoming.

"We are now at a crossroads after we learned that the houses we are residing in are built along a water stream. We appeal to the concerned agencies to follow up on the safety of these buildings to avert a looming crisis," Jane Wanjiku said.

The floodwater menace is also evident in the populous town of Kitengela, where some feeder roads have been left impassable.

Motorists and traders say the town drainage is clogged by garbage.  Heavy traffic snarls have also been witnessed along the Nairobi-Namanga road.

The flood effects situation is also evident in farms within the town. The farm's crops have been submerged, much to the chagrin of farmers who fear a poor harvest.

"My two-acre farm had mature beans that were awaiting drying but are now fully submerged in water," Michael Muya decried.

Some villages in the region, including Sholinke, have also been cut off by flooded rivers.

This comes as administration officers continue to appeal to locals to avert crossing flooded rivers and report any incidences that require government attention.