It is nearly four months since devastating floods washed Narok County, killing people and destroying businesses.
We meet survivors trying to rebuild their lives during the World Population Day marked in the county on July 11.
“This time, the level of water exceeded what we saw in 2010. We have been anticipating this disaster because there is no mitigation wherever such flooding occurs. We are not sure if the authorities will finally come up with a solution. It is upon us to pick the pieces and move on before another calamity strikes,” says Steve Njenga, 33, while pointing to the collapsed building that housed his business.
Apart from his business being washed down, Njenga’s wife who was a partner in the business suffered a stroke after the loss.
When his long-time friend counted the massive loss of business after the floods had subsided, he decided he was better in the next world and committed suicide.
As he currently rebuilds his life, Njenga spends sleepless nights staring at the ballooning interest figures of a loan he took to spruce up his business.
Today, he only secures his next meal by working as a casual labourer in restaurants. How life has changed for this man who was looking at a great sunshine just four months ago.
Poor planning
“We are victims of poor planning thus making our livelihoods wasted and vulnerable. I don’t want to think of what will happen to our lives if the floods come again. We are in danger,” says a dejected Njenga.
Lucy Waithera, a mother of three, says the floods particularly affect women.
“We were exposed to all dangers. There are those who wanted to take advantage of our situation to abuse us. It is women and girls who suffered most during the disaster, says Waithera.
She knows exactly why their town is vulnerable and wonders why nothing is being done to save them from such disasters.
“Some buildings stand on waterways while others are constructed against legal requirements. This is the cause of our problems.”
But like others, Waithera has resigned to her fate. They will rebuild their business before the floods and then count their losses when there is heavy rain.
“We are waiting for another disaster to even kill us all. Nothing has been done to correct the mess. Nobody is listening to our voices,’’ says a desperate Waithera.
Her second-hand shoes business stock and shop were swept away and she currently sells her wares in an open space.
According to official records, 15 people lost their lives during the April flooding, however, some families are still looking for their members who are unaccounted for.
For years, thousands of families have been affected by the flooding and, therefore, become vulnerable populations.
Colonial mistakes
The environment disasters in the town trace their roots to pre-independence and post-independence when there was no planning for the populations coming to the town in search of services and opportunities.
Dr David Sankok, the chair Narok Central Business Association, says from the very start, the town was in a mess.
“When the colonial government wanted land for administrative offices, our forefathers decided to consign them in a ditch that is the current Narok town. They did not want the white people in their midst and though by giving them the ditch, the foreigners could quickly abandon the town.
“They were wrong as the ditch grew and expanded and now we are paying heavily for that decision. All the water drains here. Without adequate planning, thousands have been rendered vulnerable and their lives wasted. The recent flooding did not come as a surprise.”
Dr Sankok says the county lost Sh6 billion to floods.
Although hard lessons have been learnt through the loss of lives and business capital, Ali Juma, the Narok County Kenya Red Cross manager, says the people who were most hit by the flooding are still not safe from another tragedy.
“So far, little mitigation has been done. The people have tried to survive on their own through resilience. For instance, women and children were the most hit but they have been left to recover on their own. Nobody knows what will happen if the same happens again,” says Juma.
Dr Jane Kibaru- Mbae, the director-general of the National Council for Population and Development, while addressing participants during this year’s World Population Day at Narok, called for action to manage the population in counties with regard to disasters.
“Counties are the new opportunities to address the inherent risks of disasters. It is important that counties plan well for the numbers looking for opportunities and services. Proper planning will only translate into populations that are not vulnerable to calamities. Some of these disasters heavily affect women and girls,” she said.
This year’s international theme was Saving Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies while the national theme was Disaster Risk Management.
Disaster management
Believing that future floods will find people in worse situation, Sankok recommends that the county moves services to other areas and addresses the urgent need for proper physical planning.
“Disasters like killer floods only occur because we fail to plan for our populations. Devolution has come with populations seeking various services and openings. This means that unless we manage it, the likelihood of many becoming vulnerable is real,” says Sankok.
Currently, the county government is in the process of finalising an integrated plan aimed at guiding its development.
“One of our priorities is ensuring that we reduce risk and mitigate disaster when it occurs,” said Everlyne Aruasa, the deputy governor.
For Waithera, Njenga and thousandas of Narok residents whose lives are affected every time it rains, it is their prayer that something will be done urgently to change the situation.
