MERCY NZILU

Created on :Apr 10, 2024

More than 20 Families Count Losses After Heavy Rains In Kirinyaga

The Makutano area in Kirinyaga County recently faced severe losses due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday night. Over 20 families and traders have been affected, particularly those residing along the Makutano-Mwea highway. The primary cause of the devastation was attributed to poor water drainage systems originating from the Mbeere area of Embu County.

Former teacher Rachel Njeri Chege shared her distress, revealing that her valuable seven-foot perimeter wall, worth over Ksh.100,000, was swept away by the forceful water currents. Additionally, residents voiced concerns about the floods being contaminated with human waste, raising fears of potential waterborne disease outbreaks like cholera.

Anger and frustration simmer among the affected residents, who point fingers at the contractor responsible for building the Kenol-Marwa dual carriage for neglecting to unblock culverts. Simon Ngure, a resident, highlighted that they had previously communicated their concerns to various authorities, including the contractor, Kirinyaga governor, and the area MCA, well before the onset of heavy rains.

Residents have also brought attention to the construction of a flyover in Makutano, which they believe is diverting water flow into nearby residential areas. While expressing support for development initiatives, residents emphasize the necessity of proper water channeling and demand compensation from the Chinese construction company involved.

Efforts to address the issue have included appeals to Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau to raise the matter in the Senate, advocating for the redirection of water flow and seeking compensation for the losses incurred by affected residents.

The situation underscores the critical need for effective infrastructure planning and maintenance to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and protect communities from avoidable losses and hazards.