Teams set up to help victims of floods

Counties hit by heavy rains have formed technical teams to mitigate the effects of flooding.

In the past week, hundreds of people across the country have been displaced.

In Nairobi, Governor Evans Kidero said technical personnel had been sent to every sub-county to coordinate mitigation of flooding.

He released the names of engineers on the county’s website and advised city residents to contact them if they experience flooding.

“Do not hesitate to get in touch with them,” he said in a statement. In August, the county sent 400 youth in South C to unclog blocked drainages.

In Uasin Gishu, residents in Moi’s Bridge Ward are travelling thrice the distance to reach the only health centre in the area after floods destroyed a key bridge.

The bridge located less than 1km from the health centre is the shortest route for ambulances and security officers’ vehicles to reach remote villages. The destruction is hindering police patrols.

“This bridge is very important, especially during emergencies. We hope it is rebuilt soon to help save lives. It is also a convenient way to the market,” said Mr Abdullah Komen, a resident of Tuiyobey village.

In Trans Nzoia, police are facing difficulties when responding to distress calls from villagers because they are forced to use an alternative bridge to reach villages.

“Police are unable to reach us in good time when there is a robbery or any other emergency because they have to take a longer route,” said Mr Martin Barasa, who was recently attacked by armed gangsters in his home.

PROPERTY DAMAGED

In Bomet, a makeshift bridge connecting Chebirir village to Bomet Town was swept away by flash floods.

As a result, learning has been suspended at the nearby St Michael’s Primary School, because pupils are unable to cross the swollen river.

“We cannot continue like this. Pupils from across the village could easily drown,” said Mr Simion Chepkwony, the headteacher.

In Kakamega, residents of Musango in Mumias East Constituency have appealed to the county government to rebuild a bridge that was destroyed by heavy rains two weeks ago.

The locals claimed that two people have drowned in the river since the bridge collapsed.

They urged area MP Benjamin Washiali to allocate cash from the Constituency Development Fund emergency kitty to fix the bridge.

“We expect Mr Washiali and Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to pool resources and rebuild the bridge without any further delay,” said Mr David Wamatsi, a local businessman.

In Narok, Governor Samuel ole Tunai formed a team to deal with the increasing number of deaths related to the heavy rains.

Panic gripped Narok Town on Wednesday evening after floods hampered transport on the Narok-Maai Mahiu highway for more than three hours.

The rains, which started around 4pm, submerged market stalls and kiosks.

Earlier this month, two children and a man were killed by floods in Talek in Narok South. The floods have swept away 400 sheep and goats.

In Nakuru, 78 nursery school children at Kiambogo Primary School in Lower Solai are sitting their end-of-year exams in the field because their classrooms are flooded.