One killed, scores displaced as downpour wreaks havoc

A home that was destroyed by a mudslide in Mathioya, Murang'a this week following heavy rains. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

Heavy rains have been recorded in different parts of the country, with fatalities being reported in some areas.

In Kakamega town, Lucia Lysine was killed at Mwiyala area by lightning on Friday evening. “We heard an ear-splitting bang from outside followed by a blinding light, which was accompanied by flames of fire that struck him. He fell on the floor writhing in pain and died a few minutes later,” said Laban Lihanda, her son.

Kakamega town, Mumias, Luanda, Mbale, Busia, Bungoma and Webuye towns were flooded during the downpour.

There was overflow in rivers Nzoia, Isiuhu, Malakisi, Lwakhakha and Sio, posing danger to motorists and pedestrians.

Bungoma County Director of Meteorology Noah Eledi warned locals against walking in flood water or motorists driving over flooded rivers.

Homeless families

“There is a likelihood that the rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. We are urging people to avoid sheltering under trees or standing near windows when it’s raining,” said Mr Eledi.

In Mt Kenya region, over 30 families were displaced, with three major landslides reported in Mathioya, Murang’a County.

This week, Thunantu River in Meru County burst its banks and displaced 35 families whose houses were demolished by the floods.

Kenya Red Cross Society Regional Coordinator Gitonga Mugambi said the three mudslides at Gitugi and Kiambuthia villages in Mathioya left five families homeless. No injuries or deaths were reported.

At Kiambuthia Secondary School, some classrooms collapsed and KCSE candidates had to be moved to another room for safety.

Central Region Coordinator Wilfred Nyagwanga yesterday held a meeting with Murang’a County Disaster Management Committee to discuss ways of averting losses.

Mugambi said the counties worst affected by flooding were Marsabit, Isiolo, Moyale and Samburu.

“Our volunteers are coordinating a humanitarian response for the families of those affected by the floods, landslides and heavy rains,” he said.

So far two drownings have been reported this week, one in Embu and another in Nyeri town.

In Kisii and Nyamira counties, several traders operating in the open air markets have been forced to stay indoors in the past one week due to the heavy rains.

At the Kisii town fresh vegetable market, most traders have recorded losses as they are out of reach for customers.

“Most of the roads are impassable. We are forced to use motorbikes to ferry vegetables to the markets but that is too expensive because we can’t carry bulky goods,” said Mary Kemunto a vegetable vendor.

Walk to work

With several roads leading to Kisii town under construction, locals have been forced to walk to work every morning.

Majority of the roads, including Kisii town-Nyatieko, Nyamataro-Kisii town and Kisii town-Nyanhwa, have remained impassable in the last two weeks.

A tax operator in the town, Job Ongaga said they have already increased their rates by 100 per cent because of the poor roads. “We are spending most of our time at the garage replacing broken parts, it is a costly venture.”

In Nyamira County, most roads in Nyamaiya sub-location are impassable due to heavy rains that have been pounding the area for the last two weeks.

“We are forced to trek for more than 10km to seek treatment at Nyamaiya dispensary due to bad roads,” said Joseph Mokaya, a resident.

[Nathan Ochunge, Lydia Nyawira and Eric Obuga]