Floods leave one dead in Makueni, property, crops destroyed

At least one person has died, 37 households displaced and property of unknown value destroyed following heavy rains in Mukaa sub-county in Makueni county.

An assessment done by the Kenya Red Cross and the County Disaster and Emergency Department of the County Government of Makueni established that one person drowned while crossing River Kaluku, and his body is yet to be recovered.

Also, 11 and 17 households in Kunda Kindu and Shimo estates were affected after storm water filled their rented rooms and property of unknown value destroyed.

Among the affected areas are households in Kawese, Vombo and Kwale villages in Kasikeu Ward, and 10,000 acres of crops waterlogged.

“We conducted a needs assessment on Monday in Wote town and Kasikeu in Kilome and established that several households have been displaced from their homes. They need food and non-food items,” said Evans Peter, the Kenya Red Cross Society’s Makueni County Coordinator in his Wote town office.

Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy was on Tuesday rescued by the National Police Service after he was marooned by flood waters in Nduani village, Yatta sub-county.

Disease outbreak fear

 The minor, Mutuku Kioko, was evacuated by the police helicopter after several unsuccessful rescue attempts led by the Kenya Red Cross due to the ravaging flood waters caused by heavy rains.

 Police reports indicate that Mutuku had been left behind by his father, Martin Kioko after water levels near their home started rising.  Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia said the helicopter was called in after efforts to rescue the stranded minor using boats proved futile.

In Nyamira, three people are nursing injuries after they were rescued from a collapsed building. They were rescued from four storey building which was under construction which came  down crumbling down following the effects of ongoing heavy downpour.

In Laikipia county, Benson Mutuku, a tree grower in Nanyuki is counting losses following a heavy downpour that has destroyed his business.

Mutuku said the raging waters of River Nanyuki swept away about Sh300,000 worth of tree seedlings as he watched helplessly on Tuesday. With the onset of the rainy season, he anticipated a business  boon but his expectations have diminished.

 In Kisumu, the management of the city announced a raft of mitigation measures to the floods effects, including plans to de-silt local rivers.

 City manager Abala Wanga said they have rolled out a comprehensive action plan aimed at curbing flooding impact among city dwellers.

 Stories by Noven Owiti, Evans Nyakundi, Ronald Mwadzombo and KNA