More families out in the cold amid fears flood crisis is getting worse

Houses destroyed by mudslides and floods in Tingoro village, Kipkelion constituency, Kericho County. [Evans Yegon, Standard]

The number of families displaced by floods is increasing and the humanitarian crisis as a result of the floods is worsening as the country continues to feel the pinch of floods.

In the flood-prone Budalang’i region in Western, a humanitarian crisis is rapidly developing after more than 7,000 households were displaced.

The families are seeking refuge in camps dotted across Bunyala South and Bunyala Central wards amid limited resources for survival.

This is happening as several counties are bracing for more destruction after another weekend of heavy rains in several parts of the country.

In Nakuru, a family of six in Kimologit village, Tingoro sub-location escaped death by a whisker after mudslides destroyed their home.

The family, comprising a father, mother, and four children, miraculously escaped the catastrophe at approximately 7 pm Friday but lost all their possessions to the relentless force of nature.

Sifia Tuwei, the Red Cross Coordinator, said there were no casualties.

“However, the family’s maize plantation, a vital source of sustenance, was swept away, compounding the devastation,” said Tuwei.

She said the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Precarious situation

“There is also a precarious situation faced by 20 additional households in the affected village, which could also fall victim to the impending threat of mudslides,” said Tuwei.

The Red Cross Coordinator called for the evacuation of the affected families.

Tuwei disclosed that hotspot areas across the six sub-counties in Kericho have been mapped and volunteers have been trained in diving techniques and have access to areas that could be affected by floods or landslides.

“Together with the national government, we have an early warning system in place. Churches have been engaged to provide shelter should the situation worsen. Residents are advised to move to safer ground if the situation becomes precarious,” she said.

Despite the risk in Kunyak area, Tuwei mentioned that efforts have been made to mitigate it.

“Over 3,000 trees were planted in collaboration with various partners after the 2020 landslide tragedy, which claimed the lives of three children,” she said.

In Njoro, Ndarugu River burst its banks flooding at least three villages in the outskirts of Njoro town.

The heavy rains have exposed deep fissures in parts of Ngata, Rongai destroying farmlands and crops.

In Machakos, at least eight people were snatched from the jaws of death in a dramatic rescue operation involving a chartered helicopter that was used to airlift them from marooned homes downstream River Athi in Kabaa. More than 20 deaths have been reported in the county and 25,000 residents displaced or affected.

Chopper chartered

In the Kabaa incident, it took the intervention of Machakos governor, Wavinya Ndeti to charter the chopper. The seven people were trapped in the tiny island of Kathama which was no longer accessible by other alternative means amidst heavy flooding.

Another lucky survivor was airlifted to safety at Kyeleni, in the Matungulu sub-county.

The person had been trapped for at least 48 hours after the river cut off the Ol-Donyo Sabuk market in Machakos county territory from Kilimambogo trading center in Thika East, Kiambu county.

“I was born and brought up here and for all those years, I have never seen water of this magnitude. Even the 1997-98 El-Nino rains did not threaten our lives, let alone destruction of crops and sweeping away of livestock,” said Paul Mulatya, one of the survivors from Kathama.

The area is approximately 30 acres and has never been a subject of evacuation. “What is currently happening in this area must go into the records of history. Much as River Athi has been around, we have never witnessed by the current generation. Even our elders have no tales of a similar scenario in the past,” said Anthony Munyao Ngesa, a resident of Mbiuni.

Meanwhile, the bridge connecting Ol-Donyo Sabuk in the Northern frontier of Machakos county and the Kilimambogo shopping centre in Thika East, Kiambu county has been swept by fierce waters of River Athi.

People traveling to Thika from Ol-Donyo Sabuk town are now forced to take the Tala-Mbiuni-Kithimani route.

Similarly, in Kisumu, several families have been forced out of their homes in Nyando area after another night of heavy rains on Friday.

The destruction of roads in the region has slowed down response as authorities mull ways to rescue other families.

In Western, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma emphasised the need for climate change funding to directly benefit grassroots communities.

Expressing frustration over the disparity between high-profile climate change meetings and tangible support for affected communities, Otuoma urged stakeholders to prioritize practical assistance over bureaucratic processes.

“Too often, we witness millions allocated for emergencies, yet these funds fail to reach the counties in dire need. Despite numerous high-profile meetings, our people continue to suffer,” lamented Otuoma.

In his county, authorities are struggling to avert a potential humanitarian crisis as the floods maroon more homes. The locals fear that with crops submerged during the planting season, food shortages will threaten the community in the coming months.

“We had just planted crops like maize and we were hoping for a bumper harvest when the floods hit. I have changed to selling tomatoes for a living,” said Mary Omindo.

The remnants of Mau Mau Market, now a ghost town, bear witness to the havoc wrought by floods and the backflow of Lake Victoria.

Infrastructure, including the now marooned market, a boda boda shed, shops, and the Mashinani Savings and Credit Cooperative Society building, lay submerged amidst flooded roads, painting a grim picture of the disaster’s impact.

Deputy County Commissioner Dr Paul Akwonga Papa urged residents to move to higher ground as water levels continue to rise.

[Robert Amalemba, Erastus Mulwa, Mary Imenza, Nikko Tanui, Evans Yegon and Hilda Otieno]